At Ukraine House, a lecture was held by Marika Kuzma, a professor of music at the University of California and a researcher of choral music, as part of the presentation of her book Carols of Birds, Bells, and Sacred Hymns from Ukraine: An Anthology and Cultural Companion, dedicated to Ukraine's choral musical heritage.
This was reported by Ukraine House.
The organizers shared that the event brought together foreign diplomats, including the Estonian Ambassador to the United States, Kristjan Prikk, the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Ronald Sanders, representatives of the U.S. Department of State, and other friends of Ukraine.
The presentation of the book Carols of Birds, Bells, and Sacred Hymns from Ukraine: An Anthology and Cultural Companion became the highlight of the evening.
In this work, Marika Kuzma explores the rich tradition of Ukrainian Christmas songs, noting that Ukrainians sing carols not only to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ but also to uplift their spirits and preserve their identity.
The book serves as an anthology of over a thousand Ukrainian carols, including Carol of the Bells in its original version as a winter song of gratitude and resilience. The author provides musical scores for the carols, their translations, and transliterations to make them accessible to an international audience. Additionally, each carol is accompanied by historical context, biographies of composers, and explanations of winter rituals associated with them.
Since the book was written during Russia's war against Ukraine, it also has a journalistic aspect. It highlights the role of choral music and carols in preserving Ukrainian culture, language, and identity, as well as their impact on boosting the morale of the Ukrainian people during difficult times.
"During the presentation of her book Carols of Birds, Bells, and Sacred Hymns from Ukraine, Marika Kuzma reminded us of Ukraine's struggle for freedom, vividly reflected in the story of Shchedryk, known worldwide as Carol of the Bells. This iconic melody, gifted to the world by composer Mykola Leontovych and conductor Oleksandr Koshyts, symbolizes cultural diplomacy and the indomitable spirit of Ukraine", said Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova.
During the event, guests not only learned about the history of the iconic melody Shchedryk and Ukrainian singing traditions but also joined together in singing one of the carols, expressing solidarity with Ukraine in its fight against aggression.
A special moment of the evening was the performance by a children's ensemble from the Ukrainian School of Ukrainian Studies in Washington, who performed Shchedryk and other Ukrainian carols. українські колядки.
"It was an evening that brought everyone together, reminding us of the power of music and faith", noted the event's moderator and organizer, Katya Smagliy.
Author: Inna Mikhno
