New Work Schedule for the Hryhorii Veryovka Choir
Due to a shortfall in state funding, the Hryhorii Veryovka National Honored Academic Ukrainian Folk Choir has been forced to adopt a four-day workweek. This operational change comes as the ensemble grapples with a monthly wage deficit of 1.94 million hryvnias and an annual funding gap of 22.3 million hryvnias against planned budgets. The choir, a cornerstone of Ukrainian cultural heritage since its founding in 1943, now faces an uncertain future without increased government support.
Choir director Ihor Kuryliv addressed the situation, stating:
“That’s why I switched the team to a four-day schedule. Every month, I’m short 1.94 million hryvnias just for salaries. Annually, 22.3 million hryvnias are missing from the plan. So I have to scramble like a hamster on a wheel. State funding simply isn’t enough.” – Ihor Kuryliv
This development has raised concerns, as top-tier choir members earn around 35,000 hryvnias per month. “A top-category artist gets 35,000 hryvnias. At some point in the Verkhovna Rada, they called that high pay. Good people, what high pay? These artists came from all over Ukraine—we selected the best voices, which are hard to find. They pay for housing, transportation, and support their families. 35,000 hryvnias is peanuts,” Kuryliv added.
Average Salary in Ukraine
For context, in April 2026, the average nominal salary for a full-time employee in Ukraine was 30,515 hryvnias, a 0.5% increase from March of that year. The highest average salary in April 2026 was recorded in Kyiv at 48,003 hryvnias, followed by Kyiv Oblast at 30,584 hryvnias. The lowest average salaries in April 2026 were in:
- Kirovohrad Oblast – 21,199 hryvnias
- Chernivtsi Oblast – 21,687 hryvnias
According to Ihor Kuryliv, “Yes, people are suffering because they’re underpaid for four days each month.” The choir’s financial situation remains dire, and without adequate state backing, the ensemble’s continued operations could be at risk. Despite these challenges, the choir—established in 1943—persists in promoting Ukrainian culture and traditions.
The financial strain on the choir highlights a broader issue of chronic underfunding for cultural institutions in Ukraine. This could lead not only to reduced work hours but also to a loss of skilled talent in the cultural sector, undermining efforts to preserve the nation’s heritage. Given the choir’s role as a vital symbol of Ukrainian cultural identity, resolving its funding crisis demands urgent government action.
The challenges faced by the Hryhorii Veryovka Choir are not isolated. Recent reports indicate that the mobilization and unequal draft exemptions have significantly impacted the availability of male singers within the ensemble. This situation exacerbates the funding crisis, further threatening the choir's future and cultural significance in Ukraine.