The ensemble “Strong Wives” with a video of Ukrainian melodies invites to the action “Let’s sing in Ukrainian!” / Script

“At a time when Ukraine is experiencing an incomprehensible war, we Latvian women want to give our help and support to the people of Ukraine,” said Iget Ozolina, the founder and leader of the ensemble “Strong Wives”. Music is one way to cheer up, emotionally strengthen and refresh you in the most difficult moments. Ukrainian traditional melodies reveal great vitality, therefore the members of the free will ensemble “Strong Wives” with the Ukrainian power song “Zasvit vstali kozacenki” invite to every Latvian folklore ensemble, choir, music unit – “Let’s sing in Ukrainian!”.

According to the ensemble, the author of the song “Zasvit vstali kozacenki” (“The Cossacks Rise Before Dawn”) is considered to be the semi-mythical 17th century singer-songwriter Marusya Churaya (Мару́ся Чура́й). The song is about a Cossack who is faithful to the duty to defend his homeland from the enemy. He asks his mother to take in his bride, Marusya, who is an orphan while he is at war, without knowing if he will return home. “The song has the character of a march, and it is an informal anthem of the Ukrainian army,” says Viktor Prytulak, an ethnomusicologist and employee of the Ukrainian Embassy in Latvia, who advised “Strong Wives” to sing the song. “Strong Wives” performs it lyrically to highlight a vivid emotional experience.

Free will ensemble “Strong Wives” was founded in 2013. Women from different professions sing in the ensemble, which is united by a love for singing. The repertoire of “Strong Wives” includes folk songs, so-called “power songs” and original songs.

The instrumental arrangement of the song “Zasvit vstali kozacenki” was created by the ethno group “Ogas”. The band was founded in 2017, and its main repertoire is traditional music in the original arrangements of the members. In the group “Berries”: Marita Karpa (accordion), Diāna Logina (stabules, bagpipes), Ilze Jurjāne (violin, kokle), Igeta Ozoliņa (kokle), Kristaps Karps (cahon).

The song “Zasvit vstali kozacenki” was recorded in the sound recording studio of the National Library of Latvia, sound engineer – Renarts Braufmanis. Video artist – Krišjānis Pleiko.

CONTEXT:

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been going on since 24 February. The talks have so far failed, and the French presidential administration announced on March 12 that Russian President Vladimir Putin now appears to be does not show any desire to end the war in Ukraine.

Russia’s action has paid off sharp condemnation from a democratic world. Western countries have determined several sanctions though against Russiathough against Belarussupporting the Kremlin’s decision to attack Ukraine. Meanwhile, more and more foreign companies are boycotting Russia and suspending their operations in that country.

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