In this new issue of Vogue UA magazine (released today), Svyatoslav Vakarchuk gave an interview to Valentina Klimenko: he told her about his celebrity status, about his experience at Yale University and about the new Okean Elzy album "Без меж". "I always only wanted to write songs. I don't care if, on the music, this word sounds "new" or "old"; I don't care about what the song itself sounds like; I don't care about musical arragements... The most important for me is to touch peole and to share with them my emotions and my feelings."
In November, a few weeks before the Forum of French-Ukrainian Associations took place in Paris, I received a phone call from Marina, another fan of our favorite rock band. She saw on Twitter that I would attend to this event and she wanted to know if, by chance, Svyatoslav Vakarchuk would be there. Marina wanted to meet him, not only because she is fond of Vakarchuk's works, but much more because her daughter is a very, very big fan of Svyatoslav. The thing is that Marina's daughter is very sick and she finds comfort in listening to Okean Elzy music... :( Her dream was to meet her idol.
Unfortunately, I don't have any direct contact with Mr. Vakarchuk or with his team... Most of the time, I think that this is not an issue :), but that day, I was very frustrated that I couldn't help her by arranging this meeting.
On the 2nd of June, I received a message from Marina with some pictures attached and, seeing them, I understood that she finally met Svyatoslav in Yerevan. :)
If Marina couldn't bring her daughter in Yerevan, thanks to internet the little girl could exchange a few words - in French! :) - with Svyatoslav. So, the first part of her dream came true... The next step will take place in Paris, when Okean Elzy will perform a concert: they will then meet face to face!
Marina told me that she had a long and warm conversation with Vakarchuk: when listening to her story, the artist felt very concerned. How can one remain indifferent to this?
From Paris, Marina brought a special gift for Svyatoslav: a scarf with very touching words from her daughter written on it, saying that his songs are, for her, like prayers. Since then, this scarf is attached to Svyatoslav's microphone stand... and from New-York to Minsk, you'll see it during the "World Tour"!
During this concert in Yerevan, Vakarchuk explained the whole story to the audience. He asked his fans to sing along with him in order to give positive energy to this little girl. It seems that it worked: Marina told me that her daughter's latest medical analysis results are better than ever. :)
*****
People usually ask me if I'm happy to lend a hand to Mr. Vakarchuk with his official communication in French. Of course, I am! :) But, honestly, what's makes me really happy - and why I'm proud of doing this - is when such things happen.
Thank you so much, Svyatoslav!
Thanks for the time you've given to Marina and to her daughter.
Thank you for reminding me that, in this crazy world, there are still noble-minded people who speak from their heart... We should never despair! :)
