Sviatoslav Vakartchuk begins a funny tour.
Figure of Okean Elzy, the most popular rock formation in Ukraine, he sings his repertoire alone.
Not in sold-out stadiums, but closer to conflict zones.
To the British media
National
, the 46-year-old singer admits that he
"won't hesitate for a second"
to take up arms.
For the moment, the singer, as popular at home as Johnny Hallyday or Bono can be, is using his voice to participate in the war effort.
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Since the founding of Okean Elzy in 1994, the group performs only in Ukrainian.
A golden rule according to Sviatoslav Vakartchuk, who wants his country to shine in the world of culture, constantly associated with the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
The rock band is popular in Russia and Belarus.
And since the start of the war in Ukraine, Vakartchuk has given voice.
Concerts on the front
“Slava”, as fans call him, has been criss-crossing his native country since the Russian offensive began a month ago.
Between the bombarded cities and the flow of refugees, the artist takes the time to perform there.
"When you're in that state, where you're feeling hopeless and anxious, it's very inspiring to have someone you know, someone you know, come to you without any fear,"
the singer told
The National
.
"I think it's a good moral and spiritual support"
.
In Zaporozhye, whose nuclear power plant was targeted three weeks ago, Slava sang a cappella there.
Just like in Odessa, near the monument commemorating the Duke of Richelieu, founder of the city.
On the forecourt of Lviv station, 70 kilometers from the Polish border, he dedicated his improvised concert to refugees, police and military units, daily confronted with Russian attacks.
The soldiers showed their emotion by chanting
"slava Ukraini",
or
"glory to Ukraine"
.
At the end of the concerts, neither autograph nor photo are begged by the crowd.
The comforting words of the artist, drawn from the studio albums of the group, are enough to restore balm to the heart.
Thus, the group's flagship titles are experiencing a resurgence in popularity in the music charts, including
Pas ta guerre
, released in 2016, climbed to first place in the Ukrainian Top 100 on Apple Music.
A fruitful result for the group, which it wishes to use wisely.
"Any monetization from digital platforms to listen to songs or watch videos of Okean Elzy, from February 1 and until victory, will be directed to the needs of the army, military medicine"
is it formulated on their Instagram account.
If Sviatoslav Vakartchuk is so adored, his political career has a lot to do with it.
Nicknamed the Ukrainian Bono, the artist was elected deputy, first from 2007 to 2008 to President Viktor Yushchenko, then from 2019 to 2020, within the liberal party Holos, (Voice, in French) which he founded.
His popularity is such that two out of three Ukrainians wanted the artist to run for president three years ago, according to
The Guardian
.
But another artist, a comedian named Volodymyr Zelensky, stole the show.
Behind the serenity of his concerts, Vakartchuk broadcasts behind the scenes.
Through poignant scenes shared on his Twitter account - bombarded cities, amputee children on the hospital bed - he denounces the horrors of the war perpetrated by Russia.
"I hope when my son grows up he won't remember what's happening now.
He will read it in the history books or watch it in the movies
.