Olena Ivanovska, who is the commissioner for the protection of the state language, clarified the issue of the performances of Ukrainian artists who use the Russian language. According to her, the law allows the performance of author's songs in any language, but emphasizes the moral aspect of this issue.
According to the legislation, public performance of Russian-language phonograms created by citizens of Russia is prohibited, but Ukrainian performers who create Russian-language songs are not subject to this prohibition. The law also restricts communication in Russian with the audience between performances.
Interpretation of the language of cultural performances
«We all once danced to Verka Serduchka. But I, for example, never perceived her songs as Russian. It's a joke, it's surzhik, or – as they say – macaronic language. The same language is spoken by the bailiff Tetervakovskyi in «Natalka Poltavka» – «that's how it is, like him...».»
Olena Ivanovska called on artists to be morally responsible in front of the audience and to avoid using the Russian language in the context of modern society, which views Russian-language content negatively.
Public and artist reactions
After a scandalous performance in Kyiv, Verka Serduchka held a fiery show in Odesa. The artist could not resist a sarcastic response during her performance, greeting the audience with the phrase: «Hello, Odesa! Happy International Ombudsman Day».
The public's reaction to the Russian-language content of Ukrainian artists' performances is expressed in negative comments and even filing complaints to the commissioner for the protection of the state language.
In the news, the authorized person clarified the legislation regarding Ukrainian artists who perform in Russian. She emphasized the moral aspect of the issue and called on artists to avoid using the Russian language due to negative perceptions in society. After the scandal, Verka Serduchka continues to hold performances, which causes outrage among the audience and other artists. The negative public reaction is highlighted by even filing complaints to the authorized organization.