To mark the centenary of Shchedryk’s debut tour
UKRAINE WOW recreated the original of Carol of the Bells on 50 stages in 17 countries. The video was introduced by Vera Farmiga and Barbra Streisand
In honor of the anniversary of the tour, which introduced Shchedryk to the world, American stars of Ukrainian descent — Academy Award and Emmy nominee, actress and director Vera Farmiga, and actress, singer, two-time Academy Award winner, and recipient of Emmy, Grammy, and Golden Globe awards Barbra Streisand — shared the story behind the composition. Through the initiative of Ukraine WOW and in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Shchedryk returned to these locations to remind the world of Ukraine's rich heritage and its contributions to global culture. VIDEO
A century ago, the Ukrainian National Choir, directed by Oleksandr Koshyts, concluded a 5-year tour across 3 continents. The tour aimed to introduce Ukrainian culture to the global stage and promote the recognition of the independent Ukrainian People’s Republic. The Choir performed over 500 concerts, selling out everywhere.
100 years later, the Ukrainian Shchedryk, known worldwide as Carol of the Bells, resounded on the same 50 stages where it was first introduced. These included the Orfeo Catala in Barcelona, National Theater in Prague, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, Warsaw's National Philharmonic, Plaza de Toros in Mexico City, Konzerthaus in Vienna, the Royal Theatre La Monnaie in Belgium, Central Hall Westminster in London, and the Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.
The project’s musical director was Jerry Heil, who performed with the V.U.Kh.A. choir at the National Philharmonic of Ukraine - the same venue where Oleksandr Koshyts' Choir first performed Mykola Leontovych's Shchedryk on December 29, 1916.
"Ukraine is here. And during this time of year, it is heard everywhere. The chimes. Carol of the Bells. The hope of the holiday season, the hope of a nation, and the hope of the world are all tied together in this song born in Ukraine," says actress Vera Farmiga in the project’s video.
The project organizers encourage social media users to use the hashtag #ukrainewow when sharing posts featuring Carol of the Bells to remind the world of its Ukrainian roots.
Yulia Solovey
and Yaroslava Gres
“For nearly 100 years, the Ukrainian melody, Shchedryk, composed by Mykola Leontovych and adapted by American composer of Ukrainian descent Peter Wilhousky, has been a staple of Christmas celebrations worldwide," say Ukraine WOW founders Yaroslava Gres and Yulia Solovey. "To explain its role in combating Russian narratives and Russia's practice of claiming the best of Ukrainian culture while destroying the rest, no lengthy explanations are needed. A single quote suffices. These words belong to Jaroslav Křička, conductor of Europe's most renowned Czech choir, Glagol. After the performance by the Ukrainian Republican Capella, he said: ‘…I think we knew little about them (Ukrainians) and gravely wronged them when, unconsciously and uninformed, we merged them against their will into one entity with the Muscovite people. Our desire for a "great and indivisible Russia" is a weak argument against the nature of the Ukrainian nation, for whom independence is everything, just as it once was for us.’ These words were spoken in 1919 but remain more relevant than ever today. And when you hear Carol of the Bells this holiday season, Mykola Leontovych's Shchedryk (incidentally, he was treacherously murdered by a Russian Chekist), remember Ukraine. A country of extraordinarily talented people, gifted musicians, directors, designers, writers, and artists who fight daily for their right to exist, live, create, and be free.”
The project was created by the non-profit organization Ukraine WOW in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with support from the Avrora Multimarket, as well as Leontovych Institute, and Nova Music. The project's chief consultant was Tina Peresunko, author of the book and project: The World Triumph of Shchedryk - 100 Years of Ukraine's Cultural Diplomacy.
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