A significant cultural event took place in Odesa — during a Christmas concert, a new version of the legendary «Shchedryk» was presented by local choral groups. The audience also had the opportunity to see the music video for this composition, shot during challenging times.
«Shchedryk» is a globally recognized piece by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych, which has become one of Ukraine's most iconic musical symbols worldwide. This time, the composition was performed in a fresh interpretation, thanks to the collaborative effort of Odesa's choral groups and creative personalities.
The project's idea originated in Odesa's music schools, among local choral groups. The initiative was joined by the Odesa College of Arts named after K.F. Dankevych, musicians, and creatives, uniting around the desire to reinterpret a piece known worldwide while showcasing the vibrant, contemporary culture of Odesa.
The filming of the music video took place under difficult conditions — during brief moments between air raid alerts, which became another symbol of the city's resilience and its cultural community.
Deputy Head of the Odesa Military Administration, Olha Lozova, emphasized the project's significance for the city:
«Such initiatives are not just about art. They speak to our identity, to Odesa's ability to sound and create even in the toughest times. The performance of «Shchedryk» by Odesans is the voice of a city that the whole world hears».
Project coordinator Olena Pavlova noted that the main goal was to preserve sincerity and live emotion:
«We wanted Odesa to sound anew and modern. In every note — Odesa, in every voice — our unity and faith in culture as a force that unites».
The project exemplifies how culture continues to live, evolve, and unite communities even during wartime, shaping the modern image of Odesa on the cultural map of Ukraine and the world.
