Farewell to Oleksandr Safonov
On May 17, the Cherkasy region bid farewell to Oleksandr Safonov, a People's Artist of Ukraine and iconic television announcer who passed away on May 16 at the age of 82. Safonov, one of the most recognizable voices of Ukrainian TV during the 1980s and 1990s, spent nearly four decades in broadcasting. He co-hosted the program “Aktualna Kamera” alongside Tetiana Tsymbal. In his later years, he lived in the Cherkasy region, where he battled a serious illness, enduring multiple strokes and surgery. After the operation, he relied on a wheelchair.
His funeral drew colleagues and friends, including:
- singer Svitlana Bilonozhko
- journalist Mykola Kanishevskyi
- producer and director Angela Norboieva
- Roman Nedzelskyi, general director of the National Palace of Arts “Ukraina”
“Today is an incredibly sad day as we say goodbye to our friend Oleksandr Safonov. Sasha, you were the best! All of us, your colleagues, looked up to you—how to work, how to approach your profession. We learned from you, and once you were my mentor. You taught me how to carry myself in front of the camera; I still remember those lessons. Thank you! I absorbed it all. Thank you!”
Svitlana Bilonozhko
Safonov left a lasting mark on Ukrainian television. Following the disbandment of the announcers' department in 1994, he disappeared from screens. In 2017, a charity concert was held at the “Ukraina” Palace to raise funds for his rehabilitation. His memory will endure in many hearts, and his contributions to Ukraine’s media landscape will be forever honored. Concluding the ceremony, Svitlana Bilonozhko remarked: “You always had so much to talk about, and now you’ll have good company. Up there. I believe you will be our angels. You will help us down here on earth.”
The death of Oleksandr Safonov represents a profound loss for Ukrainian society and its media industry. His professionalism and impact on the development of television in the country have left a bright legacy, and memories of his work will continue to inspire new generations of journalists and presenters. The funeral served as a reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring those who have contributed to the nation’s cultural growth.