“There are still“ fools ”who, during the year of the war, did not understand that they were financing the occupiers by listening to Russian songs,” showman JULIK

From school, he played with his dad at weddings, then he graduated from the San Pietro a Majella conservatory in Italy. During his studies, Nazar Guk (real name and surname Yulik - Auth.) played the organ in the local church, thereby earning his living. He performed at concerts in Ukraine and abroad, and after many years of work in the Dzidzio group, he set off on a free voyage, delighting his audience with Ukrainian hits. Author and composer, showman and singer Yulik told how his life has changed after February 24, 2022 and how it helps to bring victory closer on the cultural front.

— Yulik, how did February 24 start for you and your family? Did they prepare an alarm suitcase and did they believe in a full-scale invasion?

- On February 24 at 5 am, I woke up from a call from a friend who said that the war had begun. I didn’t believe. But when I went to the window (at that time I lived in Kyiv), I heard explosions. I started waking everyone up and packing my things. For the safety of his son and woman, he took them to Lvov. I was warned about the war a week later, although I flatly refused to believe it. I didn’t pack an emergency suitcase, but we did a general cleaning and assembly of things.

Think of a moment or a day when you felt fear for yourself and your loved ones.

— There were several such days, especially when Lvov was bombed. In the early days I was with my family and tried to follow the safety rules. Further, when I went to charity concerts, it was not possible to take my family with me. Wherever I am, at every concert I always keep my phone and alarm system on the pulse. I experience every time like the first time.

- Last year you sent your son to first grade. How was this school year during the war and shelling? How often do you talk to your child about the war? How do you calm him down?

- This is truly a special stage in the life of every person. We planned to send our son to the capital’s school, but the war made adjustments. While the son finishes the first class in Lvov. It’s so cool to see the happy eyes of a child and the desire to go to school. We communicate regularly, even when I’m at concerts, I still call my son and ask how his new day went. Yesterday he had a Bukvarik holiday, and when my wife sent me a video where my son sings a song solo, I didn’t know where to go for joy. I learned all the words, intones well and moves rhythmically - here I remembered myself and my performances at school. We immediately told our son the whole truth about the war, explained how to act in a given situation.

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- You do a lot for the army, giving charity concerts, donate all the time. Please tell us about your area of ​​work. How much money did you raise in total?

- When the full-scale invasion began, the artists became volunteers, like all people. All prefixes, templates have disappeared, and everyone, at least I have such hope, is doing everything in his power to bring our country closer to victory. Our new tour, like the previous ones, has only two goals. The first is to raise the patriotic fighting spirit of Ukrainians, the second is to raise funds to support Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. After all, what our guys are doing at the forefront cannot be compared with anything. We in the rear must support and help them in every possible way. If every Ukrainian gives 100%, then the victory will be quick. In general, from October 2022 to this day, we have managed to earn 28,000 euros (UAH 1,120,000).

- The war united the country and people. How has it changed you personally? What makes you guys cry?

- First of all, we have all matured by a few years. Both mentally and physically I think. I began to appreciate every second spent with my family even more. As for tears, as a person I try to keep everything to myself. I can’t afford to show weakness. Extremely sorry for the children suffering at the hands of the occupier. Many were left without parental care - and this is the worst. I hope that we will pass the worst stage, and then we will live even better. However, unfortunately, you will not return people and friends.

- Two years ago, you showed your fans a photo with a four-legged friend who was sheltered by picking up on the street. Remember this story and how does the dog feel now?

Oh, these are the best memories. When we rested near the Retroville shopping center in Kyiv, a stray dog ​​was sitting at our table. Her son liked her. We decided to give her a chance for a happy, carefree life, and of course our love. She has been with us for two years, happy in warmth and affection. We even thought about what would have happened to her if we had not taken her away. And she just lived where the Russian rocket landed.

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- Singer Kolya Serga during one interview said that every man should go to the military registration and enlistment office. What do you think about it?

Yes, this is the duty of every conscientious Ukrainian. Become registered and contribute in every possible way to the approach of victory. Everyone has their own front, while my participation on the front line is not needed. Together with my colleagues, in particular with Andriy Zalisko, I am doing a colossal job of promoting Ukrainian culture and raising funds that really save lives. We sent 2 fast carriages to the Luhansk direction, 2 cars to Bakhmutskoye. When the guys from the front line write words of gratitude, sometimes a mean man’s tear flows from me.

— Have you previously received military training or, perhaps, have the skills to provide medical care, because quite a lot of Ukrainians have begun to go to appropriate courses?

- Previously, I was involved in shooting training, but I can’t say that this is mine. As for first aid, I acquired these skills during my life. I have a lot of medical friends who showed and told me what to do in this or that situation.

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- Which of the artists became a disappointment for you after February 24, and who was a pleasant discovery?

- For me personally, everyone who continued to perform in the aggressor country after 2014 is a disappointment. Ani Lorak, Anna Asti - this is just a broken bottom. How can you earn money and replenish the treasury of an occupier who systematically shells your city, your friends and relatives? It can be seen really money does not smell. But I know one thing, God is their judge, sooner or later everyone will see what they have sown.

As for the opening, I am glad that people have finally (well, almost) started looking for high-quality Ukrainian songs. We have more than a million of them, from rap to pop music, the main thing is to choose what you like. I am especially glad that the folk songs that were sung to me as a child are now spreading well and continue their history.

- During the war, you created many hits, the writing of which was influenced by real events. Which of these songs is special? How is it to write hits when rockets fly overhead?

- At first I was very confused, but I went on air on Italian TV channels, where I talked about the war in Ukraine. The first month I could neither listen nor write music. Then I realized that my main calling is to give people motivation and what they lack now. The track “Cuckoo”, released at the beginning of the war, is a combat song, for which thousands of military men thanked me, because it is easier to beat the enemy with our ethnic motives. This song is really special. Further, lyrical songs with a military theme - this is also necessary. Writing a song during anxiety, especially vocals, is another attraction.

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- After a year of war, young people still continue to listen to Russian songs. Why do you think this is happening and how can this situation be changed?

- It seems to me that the mass character of listening to Russian has already disappeared. Are there still those idiots who, during the year and a half of the war, did not understand that they were thereby financing the treasury of the occupier? Is it worth trumpeting this at every turn even stronger? When everyone is aware, then the picture will change. I ask everyone: look, there are thousands of cool Ukrainian performers around, who are in no way inferior to Russian ones. On the contrary, ours are better without this “star ragulism”. Their culture is a conscious degradation of society.

What will you do when we win?

- First, I will open champagne and go on a concert tour to all the de-occupied territories and make a large-scale show in the Crimea. So that everyone can enjoy high-quality Ukrainian music and soul. After all, a song is like a vyshyvanka, the genetic code of Ukrainians.

Earlier published an interview with songwriter Andrey Parfenov: “The war has changed the music market in Ukraine beyond recognition.”