UKRAINE: MUSIC OF RESISTANCE

August 28, 2015

Music of Resistance: Ukraine by Elena Volkava

“Slava Ukraini! Geroyam Slava!”

“Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!”

This was a patriotic greeting for many during the Euromaidan revolution of 2013-2014. And it remains a widely used and recognized slogan, today.

Maidan literally refers to the main square in Kyiv—Maidan Nezalezhnosti or Independence Square. Like Tahrir Square in Cairo or Tiananmen Square in Beijing, Maidan is the physical space that became the epicenter for demonstrations during the three winter months of 2013 and early 2014 when a series of diverse, creative nonviolent actions built a movement that ousted President Viktor Yanukovych.

Music—the Glue for Unity

In the first month, Maidan was reminiscent of a festival, with projector screens, outdoor speakers, stage lights, and a “no alcohol/drug” policy. Instead, the aroma of borscht, bread, and firewood infused the tents of tireless volunteers who prepared it all. The often-used phrases, “the winter that has changed us” and “revolution of dignity” epitomize the events of last winter. The Maidan united Ukrainians from different geographic regions, occupations, economic backgrounds, genders, ages, languages, and political orientation. Among them were Afghan veterans, far-right groups, Russian speakers, and Ultras football fans who came together to stand up for their country’s future. The music of the Maidan was a source of unity among the demonstrators. Professional and amateur musicians and singers made up the spirit of Maidan. The stage was established a few days after the first protest in late November. It became a platform for political expression, mobilization, and healing after the violent crackdowns by the riot police.

November 21st marked the first day of the protests, with 1,500 people in Kyiv’s Maidan Square protesting the government’s decision to suspend the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU. Ruslana Lyzhychko, winner of the 2004 singing competition Eurovision, was on the Maidan from the very beginning, mobilizing crowds. She often held the Ukrainian flag and other symbols in Ukraine’s national colors, singing famous folk songs until dawn along with demonstrators occupying the square. During the day, the stage was a magnet for performances by artists of different musical backgrounds. The atmosphere was like an open-air concert, resounding with rock music, pop, folk, and other genres. Musical instruments like guitars, violins and pianos served as weapons of resistance.

( image: Ruslana Lyzhychko on Maidan, November 2013, Kyiv. )

A pivotal moment in the movement was on November 30th, 2013 when Berkut riot police beat and detained nonviolent demonstrators, most of whom were students. It was the first one-sided attack of this scale in the history of independent Ukraine orchestrated by the authorities. In response, about twenty prominent Ukrainian singers, outraged by the brutality, spontaneously recorded a cover to the song “Brat za brata” (“Brother for Brother”) written by the band Kozak System. The next day, they released a video entitled “Famous Ukrainian artists against the regime.” The video includes inspiring images from the protests and the horrific scenes from the beating of the students. Although the lyrics were written before Maidan, the meaning became more relevant than ever. “Brat za brata,” was heard almost every day on Maidan. Below is an excerpt from the lyrics:

Хто сам вирішує долю,

Хто сам примає рішення,

Без бруду, без блуду, без гною, без болю

Життям своїм залишається втішеним.

He who decides his own destiny,

He who makes his own decisions,

Without dirt, without betrayal, without blight, without pain

Stays content with his life.

Свій на свого не здійме руку!

Брат на брата не скаже злого!

Прийме удар, піде на муку

Брат за брата, свій за свого!

He who has another’s back, will never use force against you!

One brother will never say evil things about another!

A brother shall receive the punch, he will endure suffering

Brother for brother, one for another of his own kind!

UKRAINIANS WHO FLOCKED AROUND THE PIANO, TAKING TURNS PLAYING THE INSTRUMENT AND SINGING PATRIOTIC AND FOLK SONGS. THE PIANO HAS TRAVELED FROM LUTERANSKA STREET TO BANKOVA STREET, WHERE THE UNIT OF BERKUT RIOT POLICE WAS LINED UP. THE PIANO WAS PLACED RIGHT IN FRONT OF BERKUT, SYMBOLIZING THE PEOPLE’S RESISTANCE AND THE COURAGE OF UKRAINIANS.

Furthermore, the Maidan piano became iconic for dispelling propaganda in the media about Ukrainians being fascists and extremists. Another young man in his 20s became known as the Pianist-Extremist. He wore a black facemask and played incredible music. Protesters recorded videos of him playing classical pieces that went viral on the Internet. He performed on the main square, on top of the barricades, and in the occupied government buildings. “They call us extremists and criminals, but this is not the case. People are here for patriotism, not for money or violence. My music shows that the people here are normal, educated people,” the anonymous maestro told Reuters.

Photo Courtesy of Maidan Translations

This image turned into a popular t-shirt logo in support of Ukraine.

Shirts were sold internationally, even worn by Virgin Mobil owner Richard Branson

Inspiration for Freedom

Yellow and blue pianos have also appeared in other cities across Ukraine. The musical instrument became a symbol of cultural resistance against injustices committed by the state. After Kiev, the initiative expanded to 11 cities, uniting crowds at the main squares across Ukraine. Through this collaborative initiative called “Piano-against Berkut,” activists from the 11 cities recorded a joint video of themselves singing the Ukrainian national anthem with piano accompaniment.

Numerous performers helped to boost morale within the movement inspiring thousands to keep going in the struggle. One famous rock band, Okean Elzy, whose song “Stina,” or, “The Wall,” was one of many groups who gathered extraordinary crowds, inspiring original band members to come together for the first time in 10 years. The leader of the band Svyatoslav Vakarchuk stated, “important things like this unite,” referring to the movement. Moreover, Ruslana led more than 100,000 people on New Year’s Eve in attempt to set the record of people singing a national anthem in unison. The powerful and emotional anthem, with lyrics like, “Ukraine has not died yet,” inspired Ukrainians to stay together in this struggle, which was sung multiple times per day. Ultimately, artists have joined their talents and engaged in the nonviolent struggle for Ukraine’s future. Music became a key tool in enhancing the strategy of the nonviolent struggle in Ukraine by mobilizing and uniting diverse segments of the population.

Elena Volkava is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations, at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. Elena’s research focus is on Eastern Europe and human rights internationally. She has been a research assistant at the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC) writing about civil resistance topics in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.

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[ a little more history ]

a short mixed media piece with excerpts from October (1927= Sergei Eisenstein) and ICTV news – 2014 Tatiana Dotsiak

by Polina Godz