Chernova Kalyna, A Song For Ukraine

I hope you will enjoy this hauntingly beautiful song, "Chernova Kalyna", sung for Ukraine by thousands of people in Estonia. The song was sung in 2022, shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

Estonia was part of the Baltic Singing Revolution in 1987 - 1991 when Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania struggled for freedom from the Soviet Union. Peaceful, mass singing events were held to demonstrate the desire for freedom. So it is particularly poignant for Estonians to have gathered at a site of their singing revolution to sing in support of Ukraine.

 "Chervona Kalyna" or "Red viburnum in the meadow" is deeply intertwined with Ukrainian national identity. Red viburnum, kalyna, represents the spirit of Ukraine, its beauty and its struggles, and the Ukrainian aspiration for freedom and resilience in the face of adversity.

Due to the association with Ukrainian independence, singing the song was banned during the Soviet period from 1919-1991. Following the 2014 annexation of Crimea, singing "Chervona Kalyna" in Russian occupied areas such as Crimea and eastern Ukraine, was punished by fines and imprisonment.  

Another version of the song became popular when a Ukrainian singer, Andri Khlyvnyuk, cut short his music tour in the US after Russia's 2022 invasion to return to Ukraine and join the armed forces. He recorded a video in his army fatigues, singing a cappella while standing near St. Sophia's Cathedral in Kyiv (a world heritage site built in the 11th century, over a hundred years before Moscow even existed as a minor medieval town). Pink Floyd and others have also adapted his singing of Chervona Kalyna in support of Ukraine.

Watch The Singing Revolution (Film 2007)

Thank you for your continued support for an independent and free Ukraine, taking its place as part of Europe.

Be well,

Barbara Felitti