On 25 May 2026, a choral festival took place at the City House of Culture (Kamianets-Podilskyi). The event brought together several significant and interconnected historical dates: the 145th anniversary of the birth of Simon Petliura, Chief Ataman of the Ukrainian People’s Republic’s armed forces, as well as the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of his tragic death, and the 150th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding conductor Oleksandr Koshyts.
The figures of Symon Petliura and Oleksandr Koshyts are inextricably linked in the history of Ukrainian culture. It was Petliura who, in 1919, initiated the creation of the Ukrainian Republican Choir, the leadership of which he entrusted to Oleksandr Koshyts. Recognising the power of cultural diplomacy, the Chief Ataman sought to use Ukrainian song to declare to the world Ukraine’s distinct identity and its right to independence. Thanks to this statesmanlike initiative, the world heard ‘Shchedryk’ in Mykola Leontovych’s arrangement for the first time, and Ukrainian choral art became a powerful cultural shield and weapon on the international stage. It is symbolic that the festival took place in Kamianets-Podilskyi — a city that was once the temporary capital of the Ukrainian People’s Republic and where these fateful decisions were made.
The artistic event was attended by creative groups from educational and cultural institutions, who showcased the richness of the Ukrainian choral tradition, the national musical heritage and the spiritual values of the Ukrainian people.
A worthy representative of the Donetsk region at the festival was the chamber choir of the Municipal Institution ‘Ivan Karabits Bakhmut College of Culture and Arts’ (artistic director and conductor – Oleksii Oleynikov, accompanist – Yevheniia Dorofeeva), which performed the song ‘A Violin Plays in the Street’ (music by M. Kropyvnytskyi, folk lyrics, arrangement by O. Koshyts) and the suite ‘The Poplar’ from H. Maiboroda’s play ‘It Was Not Meant to Be’.
The ensemble’s performance demonstrated a high level of artistic skill, profound professional culture and dedication to the cause of preserving and promoting Ukrainian choral art. The artistic expressiveness of the performance, the sincerity of the stage presentation and the spiritual atmosphere of the festival contributed to the affirmation of historical memory, national identity and respect for outstanding figures of Ukrainian culture and state-building.
The participation of students from Donetsk Oblast in the festival made a significant contribution to the development of the contemporary cultural and artistic landscape and served as further confirmation of the college’s active role in preserving and enriching Ukraine’s national artistic traditions, which over a century ago were so staunchly defended and promoted by Symon Petliura and Oleksandr Koshyts.