Today, as part of a cultural and artistic programme organised by the charitable organisation ‘Cultural Forces of Ukraine Charitable Foundation’ in collaboration with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as part of the NATO Military Committee’s official visit to Ukraine, the voices of children from Bakhmut, Toretsk, Kramatorsk, Myrnohrad, Dobropillia, Kostiantynivka and Soledar rang out in the very heart of Kyiv.
Beneath the golden domes of St Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral, a melody known throughout the world resounded. On this day, the notes of Mykola Leontovych’s famous ‘Shchedryk’ sounded particularly poignant. It was performed a cappella by pupils from art schools in the Donetsk region, who, despite the war, evacuation and loss of their homes, keep Ukrainian culture alive in their hearts and share it with the world.
Mykola Leontovych’s ‘Shchedryk’ is a world-renowned symbol of Ukrainian Christmas and goodwill. The performance of this very composition by a combined choir of pupils from art schools in our region emphasises the connection with the Donetsk region, as Mykola Leontovych lived and worked for many years in Pokrovsk, where he composed his first choral masterpieces.
The choice of venue for the performance was deeply symbolic. St Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral is a centre of spiritual strength for Ukrainians, a place that has repeatedly served as a refuge and a stronghold during the most difficult times in Ukraine’s modern history.
When the pure, finely honed voices of the children rang out beneath its high vaults, unaccompanied by any musical instrument, the cathedral’s majestic acoustics carried every note, transforming the many voices into a single, powerful hymn of prayer.
For the young singers from the Donetsk region, this event provided an opportunity to declare to the whole world: eastern Ukraine is alive, singing and creating, and its younger generation is the bearer of national identity. Due to the hostilities, these children were forced to leave their homes, interrupt their face-to-face schooling and adapt to new circumstances; yet their love of music and Ukrainian tradition brought them together at St Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral.
Leontovych’s famous ‘Swallow’, performed by the children, sounded like a herald of hope for a return home, for prosperity and for the restoration of peace in their native land. Those present in the cathedral could not hold back their tears.
We would like to thank the teachers at the art schools and the Ivan Karabits Bakhmut College of Culture and Arts for their hard work, active civic engagement and for nurturing a young generation of conscious Ukrainians.
The pure, childlike singing that echoed beneath the vaults of St Michael’s Cathedral reminded everyone present that light always triumphs over darkness, and that Ukrainian culture remains a life-giving source. And as long as our children sing, Ukraine lives on, and its light overcomes all darkness.