About the video
This ancient schedrivka inspired Mykola Leontovych to create a choral version of “Schedryk”. They say he created it in the city of Pokrovsk, in the Donetsk region. After that, the schedrivka conquered the whole world and today it is the most recognizable Christmas melody in the world.
While serving in Pokrovsk, this composition sounded to me in a new way. After creating this version, we flew on a tour of the USA.
There it sounded for American military personnel, civilians, congressmen, the Ukrainian diaspora, and at more than 260 live concert venues. Each time we told the story of Shchedryk, Leontovych, and also the city of Pokrovsk, which is on the front line.
I had the honor of performing it with Taras Stolyar and Olga Rukavishnikova. Video shooting – the team of Cultural Forces. I am sharing this work with you. Thank you to my brothers and sisters and everyone who fights for our Generous Evening. Enjoy watching.
About The Artist
Михайло Олійник is a Ukrainian musician, composer, and pianist whose work is deeply connected to national heritage and contemporary Ukrainian identity. Through his performances and original interpretations, he brings renewed emotional depth to traditional Ukrainian music. One of his most notable works, «Щедрик з Покровська» (“Shchedryk from Pokrovsk”), is a powerful reinterpretation of the world-famous Ukrainian melody Shchedryk, originally arranged by Mykola Leontovych and known internationally as Carol of the Bells.
The title references Pokrovsk, a city historically linked to the development of Leontovych’s work, giving Oлійник’s version both cultural and geographical significance. His rendition blends respect for tradition with modern sensitivity, transforming the familiar melody into a moving tribute to Ukrainian history, resilience, and artistic continuity. In today’s context, the piece also carries symbolic weight, representing cultural preservation in the face of hardship and conflict.
Through «Щедрик з Покровська», Михайло Олійник not only honors a timeless Ukrainian masterpiece, but also reclaims its roots, reminding global audiences that this beloved melody is, first and foremost, a gift from Ukraine.
