Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, chief of the Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzyactivist and former deputy, has introduced this week his incorporation into the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a result of in the meanwhile “the artwork that makes the soul fly is roofed by a bulletproof vest,” in keeping with what he says in an interview with Efe.
Within the greater than 25 years of existence of Okean Elzy, the best-known musical group in Ukraine, his songs have introduced collectively tens of millions of individuals and have change into the anthems of revolutions within the nation. Vakarchuk assures that the one factor he needs to listen to now from Russian musicians is “that they’ve introduced tens of millions of individuals to the streets” and have stated “Putin, cease the struggle”.
Because the starting of the invasion, the ukrainian musician travels the nation, visits hospitals and brings humanitarian assist to totally different cities. Movies of him enjoying the piano at impromptu concert events in entrance of the practice station in Lviv, singing with the guitar in Odessa, or with individuals within the Kharkiv subway have gone viral.
In his hometown of Lviv, persons are continuously approaching him, attempting to hug him and take a photograph with him. Vakarchuk doesn’t reject anybody and speaks to them.
-What has struck me essentially the most is the human and powerful spirit of the Ukrainians. It’s unbelievable to see how aged ladies, younger youngsters, individuals in a susceptible state of affairs, or those that are homeless, proceed to withstand. As for concrete tales… Teenager Masha, 14, misplaced her leg and was crying not due to the ache, however due to the tragedy of her life. The second story is the fun of distinction. It’s the reunion with one of many volunteer battalions that shocked me with their unwavering resistance… I received goosebumps. No rock live performance has given me that feeling.
-Your music has change into an essential a part of fashionable Ukrainian historical past and your songs have been a part of each revolutions (Orange Revolution and Maidan). Your songs are like a mirrored image of the temper of the individuals. What’s the tune that you simply play essentially the most throughout your present travels in Ukraine?
-It is the tune “Every little thing shall be high quality”. Its lyrics say “and every thing will work out for every of us, our time will come.” First, as a result of I feel Ukraine goes to win. We’ll resist after which we’ll rebuild our nation. Second, as a result of I’ve a powerful character, I’ve a whole lot of vitality and optimism and I can put up with many issues in life, however there are lots of individuals who, after nearly a month at struggle, can really feel emotional exhaustion.
-And the artists on this planet can do one thing to cease the struggle?
-To cease the struggle there are two choices. The primary: Putin has to make the choice to cease taking pictures and return the Russian Military to his territory. The second possibility is that Ukraine wins the struggle within the navy sense. Each choices are unrealistic in the meanwhile, however Ukraine will do every thing to make this occur. It’s unlikely that the songs, protests or fundraisers will go to Putin. However all these actions create a really destructive background in direction of the struggle. And this will increase the keenness of the politicians to implement the sanctions… It additionally makes the politicians give us extra navy assist.
– Is there any hope of listening to from Russian artists any protest tune just like the well-known “Give Peace a Probability”?
-Do you imply that they’ve to obviously state that they’re in opposition to the struggle in Ukraine and never the generic messages about peace that we are able to typically see within the social networks of some Russian artists?