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8 WWW. UNWLA.ORG “НАШЕ ЖИ ТТЯ”, ЛЮТИЙ 2014 Ruslana Lyzhychko THE HEROINE OF THE EUROMAIDAN by Lidia Bilous, UNWLA Vice President for Public Relations It is January 16, 2014. The Ukrainian pa r liament has declared war on the basic freedoms of its citizens, by passing new ordinances which a n nihilate all Constitutional Rights of the citizens of Ukraine and set up dictatorial rule. Ruslana has left the Maidan to meet with the E u- ropean Parli a ment. A week ago there was a possibility that Ruslana would grant an interview to Our Life m agazine. Our Maidan humanitarian aid co n- tact was in touch with Ruslana and UNWLA President Mar i- anna Zajac. I was asked to join in the interview. Since I am not a journalist, I was nervous about intervie wing not only a Ukrainian activist but also a singer of intern a- tional caliber and a famous producer. But duty calls, so I began researching my subject and had prepared some questions. Yet today I received a message from Pres i- dent Marianna Zajac that our c ontact in Ukraine had tried calling Ruslana, but received an explan a- tion from her assistant that Ruslana was in very important meetings and unfortunately could not do an interview. We now know that something very serious is taking place at the meetings of the lea d- ers of the Maidan. We must pray for them and all peace - loving Ukrainians. Since at this time we cannot have an inte r- view, I would like to share with you some of my research about Ruslana Lyzychko, a true Ukrainian Heroine of our time and the Heroi ne of the Maidan, 2013 - 14. “Who is a heroine?” you may ask. The O x- ford and other dictionaries give several definitions: A woman noted for courage and daring a c- tions, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. A woman who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities and is regarded as a model or ideal. Upon reading this brief account of Ruslana’s life, career and activism, you can decide for yourself whether she and her actions fit the definitions. Ruslana was born on May 24, 1973, in L’viv. Her fath er, Stepan Lyzhychko, was Ukrainian and her mother, Nina Sapegina, a singer from the Ural region in Russia. Ruslana grew up in L’viv. Her musical talent revealed itself at the early age of four. E n- couraged by her mother, Ruslana studied at an exper i- mental music school and sang in different bands, including in the vocal - instrumental band Horizon, the band Orion and the children's ensemble Smile ( Usmikhnys’ ). After fi n- ishing what would be equiv a- lent to our high school, Ruslana entered the L’viv Conservatory f rom which she graduated as a classical pianist and symphony orchestra co n- ductor in 1995. As a result of having been raised in what is undoubtedly the patriotic capital of Ukraine, Ruslana confidently states, “I am a L’vivyanka , so of course, I am for the U krainian language and for Ukrainianism. Of course, I support the prolifer a- tion of all things Ukrainian in Ukraine.” Yet, she is tolerant of her Russian - speaking friends who, as she says, love to listen to the Ukrainian language and are trying to learn it. “Only we, ourselves, can destroy Ukrainianism. What Ukrainianism there was that could be destroyed, the politicians have destroyed already.” Who and what was the source of her pa s- sion for Ukraine and all things Ukrainian? The Carpathian Mountains, where as a child she hiked with her father, and her father’s Hutsul roots inspired and influenced Ruslana. She grew up in an atmosphere of folk melodies. Her most vivid childhood memories are those of her paternal grandmother who lived in the village of Konyushk y (Ivano - Frankivsk region) and whom she would visit in the summer: “In the evening I loved to go out into the yard with her and sing. She instilled in me an everlasting love for Ukrainian history, traditions, and my heritage. I will never
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