The Department of Performing Arts and Culture gathered the best artists, actors, and directors in its ranks. In these wartime difficult times for Ukraine, more than ever, our people need the support of the national spirit and national culture. Anfisa Kolenko, Head of the Department, met with the classic of Ukrainian poetry, People’s Artist of Ukraine, professor of KNUTD Vadym Kryshchenko. He is the author of well-known songs: “Let’s pour crystal bowls, brothers, so that the sabers will not be taken ...” (“Наливаймо, браття, кришталеві чаші, щоб шаблі не брали …”), “The shore of love is in a distant fog, but you will swim there if you are together ...” (“Берег любові в далекім тумані, а допливеш, коли тільки удвох …”), “Good luck to you, good people ...” (“Хай щастить вам, люди добрі …”). They discussed the creative plans of the Department for the new academic year and the importance of national education of youth. This became especially important in the conditions of the war with the Russian Federation.

Vadym Kryshchenko. Reflections on the future

The beginning of Vadym Kryshchenko’s creative journey is the stormy sixties of the 20th century – the Faculty of Journalism, under the leadership of Matvyi Shestopal, where future legends of Ukrainian poetry Borys Oliynyk and Vasyl Simonenko were students. The literary studio attended by Vadym Dmytrovych was headed by Andriy Malyshko, who gave the following assessment of Vadym Kryshchenko’s poetry, “Your poems, Vadym, are like a song”.

Kryshchenko recites his new poems about the Victory

 “This is how my creative fate turned out”, recalls Vadym Dmytrovych, “it was the Ukrainian song that brought me the greatest fame. Of all types of art, it is probably the only one that has remained a ‘converted’ currency”. In co-authorship with such composers as Gennadiy Tatarchenko, Oleksandr Zlotnyk, Igor Poklad, Oleksandr Morozov, Pavlo Dvorskyi, Volodymyr Domshinskyi, and many others, Vadym Kryshchenko has written more than 1,000 songs. In addition, he has published 50 poetry collections. Famous Ukrainian singers Sofia Rotaru, Vasyl Zinkevich, Lilia Sandulesa, Pavlo Zibrov, Vitalii and Svitlana Bilonozhki, Ivo Bobul, Oksana Bilozir, and others introduce Vadym Kryshchenko’s songs to their repertoire.

Vadym Dmytrovych did not write a single song in Russian, although he was offered large fees. But nothing could tempt the poet. In the hit song “Let’s pour, brothers, crystal cups ...” there is a continuation of one verse that did not make it into the final version of the song “... a Cossack does not need silver or gold if only Ukraine were not crucified by executioners” (“…Козаку не треба срібла, ані злата, лиш би Україна не була катами на хресті розіп’ята”). “There is a language – there is a nation, there is no language – there is no nation”, says Vadym Kryshchenko with all his creativity – neither a flag nor a coat of arms defines a nation. If you do not know the Ukrainian language, you will not know the needs of Ukraine. I am deeply convinced of this”.

V. Kryshchenko gives A. Kolenko a new collection of his poetry

During the 4-month war with rashists, V. Kryshchenko wrote many new poems and 7 new songs. Today, they are sung by famous Ukrainian singers Ivo Bobul, Dmytro Andriets, and others.

Currently, the scientific and pedagogical team of the Department is preparing to receive new students and everyone in their place contributes to our Victory.

Do not lose the person in you

And even during a thunderstorm

Love family and Ukraine –

This is what I want to live ... And I do.

(Не втратити в собі людину

І навіть в пору грозову

Любить родину і Вкраїну –

Цим хочу жити… І живу.)

                 Vadym Kryshchenko

We are proud of our colleague, the famous Ukrainian poet, patriot, and legend of Ukrainian song poetry and Ukrainian culture, who even in these difficult times does not leave the author’s pen and continues to create for the benefit of Ukrainian national culture, supporting others, bringing our Victory closer!

01.07.2022