Severed Ties Between Ukrainian and Russian Artists
Ihor Kuryliv, former concert program director for Sofia Rotaru and current head of the Veryovka Ukrainian National Choir, has lost all contact with his Russian counterparts since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In a recent interview, Kuryliv detailed his past collaborations with Russian musicians and confirmed that no communication has taken place with them throughout 2022.
Kuryliv, who also served as director of the David Oistrakh International Violin Competition, noted that Russian participants were once a regular presence at the event:
'Back then, the “Moscow Virtuosi” played for free. They even covered their own travel expenses. World-renowned figures like Vladimir Spivakov, Saulius Sondeckis, and Viktor Pikaizen all performed in Odesa, and I was friends with every one of them. Not to mention the Russian pop scene—I knew everyone there.' Ihor Kuryliv
Yet, after the war began, not a single Russian colleague reached out. 'When the war started—not one Russian called. They vanished as if licked clean by a cow. Even Serhiy Kravchenko, a professor at the Moscow Conservatory, despite being from Odesa,' he added.
Meanwhile, the Veryovka Choir has been reduced to a four-day workweek due to severe funding shortages, highlighting the broader struggles facing Ukraine’s cultural sector amid the conflict.
War’s Toll on Ukraine’s Cultural Landscape
The breakdown of communication between Ukrainian and Russian artists underscores the deep cultural and social rifts caused by the war. The complete absence of contact signals a fundamental shift in attitudes toward collaboration with Russian performers, who once maintained close ties with their Ukrainian peers. This also mirrors wider trends in Ukraine’s cultural scene, where the conflict has severely impacted funding and the operations of artistic ensembles.
The ongoing cultural divide is further illustrated by the call from Ukrainian singer YAKTAK, who has urged citizens to boycott Russian music. This movement reflects the growing sentiment among artists and the public alike, emphasizing the impact of the conflict on artistic collaboration and cultural exchange.