Shchedryk or Carol of the Bells more than a Christmas song
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Shchedryk was the name of the song when it was played as part of the New Year celebrations in Ukraine. Calol of the Bells is best known for in the rest of the world. The melody is beautiful. But
Shchedryk from New Year to Christmas
Shchedryk has its origins way back. Probably before Ukraine became a Christian society. The Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych was the one who rearranged the song and turned it into what we know today. In the years between 1901 and 1919, he turned the song into what we know today.
Actually, the song was performed at the celebration of the Julian New Year, which was the night of January 13. The song is originally a longing for spring. The New Year marked a distinction where the expectation of spring emerged. Later, Ukraine switched to celebrating the New Year on January 1 and the song followed.
The text is somewhat different in different parts of the world. Originally, the text is about a swan flying into a window with an expectation of spring. The American version “Carol of the Bells” was published in 1936. It was the American composer Peter Wilhousky who adapted the lyrics in English for Christmas. The song became very popular and is today an important song associated with Christmas in many parts of the world.
Shchedryk in the fight for Ukraine’s independence
In 1917, there was discontent in Russia after World War I. What is referred to as the February Revolution led to the abdication of Emperor Nicholas II. The Russian Empire crumbled and several former states that had been incorporated into Russia saw their opportunity to leave the empire to which they were slaves. Finland was the first of these countries. Ukraine was the second to assert its independence.
A major cultural awareness campaign was launched in Ukraine. Culture, and music in particular, would also get Europe to recognize Ukraine as a separate country. Immediately, a Ukrainian government was appointed. The government’s conscious attitude to the Ukrainian language and culture was important. Mykola Leontovych and other Ukrainian composers worked in the Ministry of Education and Art.
Ukrainian independence lasted until October 1917. Then the Bolsheviks took power in Moscow. Soon the Bolsheviks came to Ukraine. Through a hybrid attack on Ukraine, they seized power and established a communist republic that was incorporated into the Soviet Union. Once again, Russia forced its neighbors into a union. Countries such as Ukraine, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia were once again incorporated into the Russian Empire. This time under a new name. The will of the people in these countries was unambiguous: they wanted their independence.
In the short period from February to October 2017, when Ukraine was an independent country, culture became important also to gain support abroad for the Ukrainian Republic. A choir is sent to Europe to promote Ukrainian culture. The choir stayed abroad for several years to spread Ukrainian music. Ukraine’s national choir is on two tours in Europe. Countries such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Czechoslovakia and England were visited by the choir.
A cultural victory
The Ukrainian music created a great stir and is described as sensationally good. Among the music performed was Shchedryk. The understanding of Ukraine as an independent people and country grew among leaders in Europe. However, there was a form of understanding and acceptance among the nations that experienced victory during World War I that the great powers England, France and Russia should be rewarded. This is why none of the great powers reacted when the Bolsheviks took power in Ukraine and reintegrated the country into a union the people did not want.
However, the choir’s long journey in Europe helped to create an understanding among politicians that Ukraine is a separate people and has its own culture and nationalism. In Ukraine, Shchedryk became a symbol of Ukrainian music. The song was sung despite the Bolsheviks’ attempts to stop it. Outside Ukraine, the song became a great success.
Shchedryk has taken on a deeper meaning for Ukrainians as a symbol of national identity and resistance, especially after Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Sources:
Ukraine: From ‘Shchedryk’ to ‘Carol of the Bells’: the untold story of the famous song