Mikhail Poplavsky: “Ukrainian song set a world record and entered the Guinness Book of Records”

On April 2, 2012, the team of the singing rector Mikhail Poplavsky entered the modern world history, having realized an unprecedented epoch-making musical telethon “Song unites us!”. It seemed unreal. But his bold idea to show the Ukrainian song to the whole world, when it was not mainstream, came true.

For five days continuously from 5:30 am on March 29 to 12:30 on April 2, 2012, Ukrainian songs performed by artists and groups of different genres were broadcast all over the world on two TV channels - First National and Era. For the first time, the musical triumph of our state was observed on all continents, the marathon was watched in 150 countries. The Ukrainian song festival lasted 110 hours, 3 minutes and 27 seconds.

Legends of the national scene and young performers took the stage. Among them are Ivan Popovich, Viktor Pavlik, Nina Matvienko, Pavel Zibrov, Alla Kudlai, Anatoly Matviychuk, Vladimir Grishko, Alla Popova, Natalya Buchinskaya, Tonya Matvienko, the Antitelas, Gaidamaki, Mandry groups, the Pikkard vocal formation ”, ethnic groups “DakhaBrakha” and “Koralli” and many others. Representatives of different nationalities - Armenians, Georgians, Tatars - joined together with the Ukrainians in a creative impulse.

The marathon was included in the Guinness World Records in the category “The longest live musical television marathon of a national song”. It has also become the most popular event.

2012 people took part in organizing and holding a large-scale music festival, including not only performers, but also technical support for the project - directors, operators, technicians, sound engineers, make-up artists, stylists, costume designers, students, graduates and teachers of the Kiev National University of Culture and Arts. And until that time, no country can decide to take such an unprecedented step and break the Ukrainian record.

“I am overwhelmed with a sense of great pride for this megaproject, for our creative team, for talented people. Ukrainians united for the first time on all continents of the world. This was the event that glorifies our country in terms of the significance and scale of the Olympic Games or Eurovision. It was significant for Ukraine and our people around the world,” says Mikhail Poplavsky.

He always emphasized the importance of preserving national traditions, our unique melos and spiritual heritage and contributed to the creation of modern Ukrainian music, implementing many powerful projects: from the children’s “Step to the Stars” (since 1997), the prestigious national music award “Our Song” (since 2004), which was reformatted into the “Ukrainian Song of the Year”, and grandiose concert shows that set trends in show business.

Mikhail Mikhailovich always emphasized that our song is the soul of the people, the genetic code of the nation, our spiritual treasure. And as long as a sincere powerful Ukrainian song sounds, a strong Ukraine will live.

“Each song contains the history of the state, its traditions, the desire for self-determination, love for the native land, optimism and faith in the great future of Ukraine. Then we showed the golden fund of the national song, consolidated the Ukrainians of the whole world and approved the positive image of our state. And, in spite of everything, we continue to do this today, educating talented conscious Ukrainians who glorify Ukraine to the whole world. Real values ​​are eternal, they identify us as a nation, strengthen the spirit,” said the rector of KNUKiM.

As many years ago, so today Mikhail Poplavsky demonstrates by his example that being a Ukrainian is fashionable, modern and prestigious. He launched the Ukrainian wave, set the trend for everything Ukrainian.

Alumni of the University of Culture take part in charity concerts around the world, perform at leading concert venues and break audition records on international music streaming platforms.

Mikhail Poplavsky does not hide that he is proud of his students. Among them is student Igor Didenchuk, the only musician who twice represented Ukraine at the international song contest. Together with the Go_A group, he conquered the European audience with authentic melodies, and with a graduate of the University of Culture Timofey Muzychuk as part of the Kalush Orchestra group (it was Timofey who performed the chorus for Stefaniy’s song), they received the main award “Eurovision - 2”.

Another star alumnus, director German Nenov, is now working on the team behind the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, which will take place this spring in Liverpool. The list of star graduates can be extended for a long time.

People’s Artist of Ukraine Pavel Zibrov is convinced that for Mikhail Poplavsky the promotion of Ukrainian projects that others do not dare to do is a matter of life, a contribution to the preservation of spiritual heritage.

“He simply gushes with ideas that are immediately embodied at the highest professional level. The historical contribution of Mikhail Poplavsky to the development of Ukrainian culture is difficult to overestimate. Thanks to his indefatigable energy, this telethon took place, and the whole world learned about the unique cultural layer of our country. Poplavsky from year to year, through his actions and projects, instills a love for the Ukrainian song, Ukrainian melos and everything Ukrainian. Back in 2004, everyone was surprised at his fundamental condition for the artists - in the project “Our Song” to perform only Ukrainian songs. The rector has shown and continues to show how to respect and love one’s own, dear. This is how a real patriot and a real Ukrainian should be,” says Pavel Zibrov.