This post was originally written in 2019. I’m leaving it here as part of the archive.
Dear Friends and Readers,
I just wanted to tell you all that I decided to take a break from blogging: I have absolutely no time to blog at the moment - and, honestly, I have got other priorities. :)
This blog was one of the first dedicated to Okean Elzy and Sviatoslav Vakarchuk. I’m keeping it online as an archive for anyone who might find it useful. 😊
Thank you very much to all the friends, followers and readers of this blog. Without your questions/comments/messages, everything would have been different.
Please follow Okean Elzy on their official accounts (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook) and the web site. They sometimes translate their texts in English.
Thanks again for the inspiration and for your support over these years! Thank you for stopping by.
Because I was frustrated that I could not find high-quality videos for some Okean Elzy songs, I created a new YouTube channel: "WhereverYouAre"!
Among the many, many things I’ve done since the beginning of 2017, I created a new 'Svyatoslav Vakarchuk and Okean Elzy' YouTube channel. :)
In May 2017, I was looking for a nice video of the song 'Wherever you are' and I found none on the web. Well, in fact, there were some 'live performance' videos, but that’s not what I wanted to share on social networks…
You know that it’s always the same thing with Okean Elzy songs: it’s so frustrating not being able to share a video clip or a high-quality video of a live performance!
So, I decided to create a new video channel to share there my video montages. Of course, they look like the ones I’m doing for my personal YouTube channel: this is the 'Alexa touch' :) but I was told years ago that 'there is something Ukrainian in all the things (I) do' -poems, videos, coloring, etc.
Who knows?! :)
I hope you enjoy 'WhereverYouAre'!
AleXa
PS: If you make your own videos on Okean Elzy songs, please let me know. I'd be happy to share them on this blog!
Why did I stop blogging for almost a year? When you are fighting with fibromyalgia and if you are at the same time "lost ", a lot of things are complicated… Fortunately, I've found my way. Want to know how? I’ll tell you everything! By the way, do you know that you have something to do with this? :)
There are a lot of reasons to stop blogging:
you have no more time to write
you don’t want to write anymore
you're short on inspiration
you have to deal with a lack of interest in the theme you've chosen
your blog doesn't connect to its audience
you never receive any comment
you never get any feedback (or you’re only getting negative remarks!)
you get no comments on social networks (and you feel lonely)
you have a fear of success
you don’t have time to answer to your readers
etc.
Every day, writers face with such problems… and I’m not an exception! :) Since August 2014, when I created "Okean of Emotions", I have to deal regularly with some of these issues. But, if I have found my own way to handle this situation until May last year, I must admit that, from there, things got complicated for me…
What happened? What changed? Nothing has changed… but everything is different! :)
Fighting with fibromyalgia: "Я не здамся без бою! - I won’t give up without a fight!"
Nothing has changed because I have been suffering from chronic pain for several years.
I have to say that it's a mess... I'm not sure that heaven exists, but I can confirm that my body is already in hell! :) Many things are very, very complicated (I’m suffering from migraines, headaches, nausea, back pain, vertigo, pain in hands, in wrists, in knees, in feet, etc.) and every day is a fight just to go to work and to do a few things at home…
Well, I don’t want you to feel sorry for me. :) But I think it’s important to explain why you don’t hear from me for several days/weeks/months.
The thing is that sometimes, I just can’t write: my body is wracked with pain, and during a few days, I cannot post on social networks and on my blog - and I cannot answer your comments either. Sorry…
Since there is still no way to cure fibromyalgia, I know that I would never go better… And from time to time, I lose all hope.
Well, this has been a challenging year for me… But I feel a bit better since the 10th of November. So… Carpe Diem! :) And, even if my whole body hurts, I repeat this mantra every day: "Я не здамся без бою! - I won’t give up without a fight!" This song always gives me strength and courage. :)
Okean Elzy - Без бою
"I’m just completely lost!" - Bill Murray, "Lost in translation" - Sofia Coppola
Everything is different because… one day (well, it was "one night" :) ) suddenly (and forever) my vision of the world, time and space has changed. And then I was thinking…
Life is full of surprises and, when you see the intimate part of you in someone else’s eyes, you’re "Lost in translation"… Life loses its meaning... but at the same time, everything is clearly obvious to you because this person gives you a new ‘reference grid’ to understand the world, to understand who you are, and where you are going to!
This is a strange paradox, and it affects your life so severely that it looks like an internal tsunami… the kind of thing you would like to avoid happening. :)
Svyatoslav Vakarchuk - "Цунамі - Tsunami"
It’s like an overflowing river that washes away your heart, your mind, and your soul. This river carries everything in its path: your "protective shell/armor" turns into dust and all that left is ruins... So, you have no choice but to look within yourself and to face your own fears, to face your pain. It hurts… but it brings you back to basics and in the end, you learn a lot about life. What is meant to be, is meant to be! :)
But honestly, I have to say that for a few months, I could not write anything and I could not learn the Ukrainian language; for a few weeks, I could not sing, and I also could not listen to Okean Elzy… :( The situation was serious! :) But there was nothing I could do: I just had to give it time, let the things play out…
Now, things are going better: since a few weeks, Ukraine "calls me" again and I can't resist! :) Okean Elzy fans ask questions, they would like to read new posts on my blog; with Okean Elzy France, I’ve been invited to participate in a new project… Now, it’s time for me to come back to blogging!
Where to find strength when life knocks you down?
Maybe some of you are suffering from chronic pain too and/or some may have difficult moments - because life is not a bed of roses… Hold on! Don’t give up! Even if things are difficult, we can deal with your pain: writing this blog is, according to the neurologist, a part of the treatment for me (turns out, he was right!) I'm sure you too have found something that helps you feel a bit better - if not, I'm sure you’ll find it soon. We just have to have faith. And I can assure you that if you repeat our mantra "Я не здамся без бою! - I won’t give up without a fight!" every day, you’ll see things in a different light and you’ll find your way! :)
Fibromyalgia, Okean Elzy France, to be "Lost in translation" and to write posts... It’s my way. Sometimes I find it difficult… but it’s a chance: it gives me wings! :) Thank you all for your support. Thanks for being here by my side.
Take care,
AleXa
In 2018, Okean Elzy released 3 new songs and gave a big show at the Kiev Olympic Stadium; In 2018, I answered your emails/questions and I visited Kiev... Time is flying and I realize that I now have a lot to say: so, I have to go back to blogging again! :)
Since the beginning of the year, you asked me many questions about Okean Elzy & Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, you sent me several messages of support and you told me that you were hoping to read soon new posts on this blog... Some of you also said that "Okean of Emotions" has become a reference and that they are happy to find here a lot of precise information. Thank you for that. Thank you for these touching words!
A few days ago, I had a look at the statistics and I realized that from January, this blog was visited by 2.130 users and that 4.700 pages have been viewed... even though I didn't post anything! :)
No new posts, but so many people visiting this blog?... I understood that I had to do something. :) It's time to go back to blogging! In fact, I have dozens of ideas: There's so much to say! Here is a list of some of the topics I'd like to write about:
My blogging break
Why I needed a blogging break
What I have done since my last post - dated December 14, 2017
My trip to Kiev
Okean Elzy & Svyatoslav Vakarchuk in 2018
3 new songs and 2 videos were released this year
1concert in Kiev for Ukraine Independence Day
Answers to your most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
As you can see there is a lot to do... So, I have to start working on my next post now! :)
Of course, feel free to send me yourquestions/remarks/suggestions via the contact form or via email - see "About" tab. Commentson posts are also welcome! :)
Bye,
AleXa * These words come from a reader who told me that this blog is a kind of Wikipedia on Okean Elzy. :) Well, I'm not a big fan of Wikipedia -, especially regarding Okean Elzy & Svyatoslav Vakarchuk! :)) Some write so stupid things! - but I like the idea that English speakers from all over the world can find here all the information they are looking for!
You're looking for specific information about Okean Elzy / Svyatoslav Vakarchuk? You want to share pictures/videos/comments with fans around the world? Or you just want to follow me on social networks? Here is the information you need!
You'll find in this blog many information... but some are still missing. So, if you have questions, remarks, comments, please feel free to contact me:
via the contact form - available on the home page
or at the following email address: okeanofemotions@gmail.com
I’m pleased to inform you that my first book of poems "Dans le coeur du poète - In the heart of the poet" was published today!
First of all, I would like to say that this post is not an advertisement :) - honestly, I think that only a few people like to read poetry and I don’t expect to make money with this book. And it's in French: only some of you could be interested in this... It doesn't make sense to advertise here! :)
No, in fact, there are several reasons why I decided to write about it:
1. Looking at the statistics of this blog, I noticed that, if you like lyrics translations, you also want to know more about me… - I understand that it’s quite unusual that a French fan writes in English about an Ukrainian rock band…. ;) - So, I think you’ll be very interested in this post! :)
Thanks you all!
2. I started working on this book in February 2015. But I had to stop it because the organiser of Okean Elzy’s concerts in Europe asked me to lend a hand to official communication of the band in French. It was an opportunity that I could not say no. :) And since then, the project has remained on the drawing-board…
Last February, I thought that this book should be published anyway: So, I decided that I had to work on it just after the concert to be held in Paris on March 26. That's what I did...
3.Love, hope, Ukraine & music are my main sources of inspiration. All of these themes also inspire Vakarchuk... So, in the end, I should not be surprised that writing a poem led me to his works 6 years ago today - Yes, it was a 10th of August:)
Moreover, the thing is that since I've started working on French translations of Vakarchuk's songs - in 2014 -, I've also improved my own writing style. Translating lyrics is a very good way to learn more about foreign languages, of course, but it's also a great writing exercice in itself!
Another thing is that I'm now writing my own lyrics - in French, of course... And I sometimes do it for Vakarchuk's songs. Sorry again for this, Svyatoslav !
And I also adapted into French of a famous Ukrainian popular song. What a wonderful experience!
To conclude on this point, I can say that, even if they reflect the colours of my soul, my works sometimes also have a little taste of Okean Elzy... :) Well, again, I should not be surprised about it!
4. I also have to say that one of my poems is dedicated to Svyatoslav (yes, I dared!) But not for the reasons you think. Even if... :)
Well, in 2014, I gathered ideas to write a poem about my own experience of poetics: what are the things that move me when I read a poem, why do I write poetry, what readers can understand/know about me when they read my poems... I found the ideas, but didn't know how to build the text! The answer just seemed to pop into my head when I found this this picture on Internet:
Yes, I know what you think "Wow! What a portrait! " :)) Yes, indeed. But the thought crossed my mind immediately was the following question: "What's in your eyes and in your mind, Svyatoslav?" I tend to believe that the most interesting is not what a person looks like but what he or she most deeply is.... And now that I met Svyatoslav, I can confirm that depth is at least as interesting as appearance! Well, I leave that to your imagination... :)
So, anyway, this question gave me an idea: I would talk about the composition of poetry and poems reading by writing a portrait and I would ask the following question several times: "Do you know what is in the poet's heart?" (Of course, I should translate this text into English... An idea for another post? Why not!)
The comments I received from readers - and friends who write poetry - were that my text "Dans le coeur du poète - In the heart of the poet" describes their relationship with poetry in a very good way. So, when I started working on my book in 2015, I have come to the conclusion that its title should be "Dans le coeur du poète" because this text is an excellent synopsis of my works. And I already knew which photo to use on the book cover... :)
What's funny is that, when collecting poems to include in my book, I realized that "Coeur - Heart" is a word that is in nearly 85% of my compositions. So there's logic in all this. :)
By the way, I now know what's "in my heart of poet"... and I understood a few weeks ago that all this makes sense to me! Life is full of surprises!Although... :)
"There are no coincidences, only encounters." Paul Eluard
5. I would like to offer a copy of this book to Svyatoslav next time we meet. I know what he will say: "It's very French! " Yes, it is. :) But I have not lost the hope that, one day, he will learn French :) - The study of poetry or lyrics is a good way to know more about foreign languages!
This book reflects the colors of my soul and Svyatoslav already knows them all (from the darkest to the brightest). Understanding sometimes comes through emotion... So, even though today he knows almost nothing about my mother tongue, he already knows what's in this book! :)
Now I know why the name of my blog is "Okean of emotions" :) There are no coincidences, indeed!
For your information - because some of you will ask :) - please note that this book can be purchased here.
A big thank you again for your interest in this blog. :)
Cheers,
Alexa
As said in a previous post, I had the opportunity to meet Svyatoslav Vakarchuk after the concert he gave in Paris on the 26th of March. There would be a lot to say about it… but in the end, I came to the conclusion that the best way to talk about it was to write him this long letter... :)
Dear Svyatoslav, Many thanks for your time and for your warm welcome when we met in Paris. To tell you the truth, I was not supposed to see you on that Sunday evening, but a few angels made this happened :) - and I want to thank them again for this.
You know, it’s always the same: most of your fans don’t understand why I never asked to meet you (because, again, I didn’t…), especially since I’m lending you a hand in your communication in French. They think I’m stupid not to take advantage of my position… :)) But the thing is that I know that you’re always very busy (I don’t want to take too much of your time) and that, unlike most people, meeting you was not (and is still not) an end in itself for me. Of course, it was an important moment for me… but I believe that this is « only » another natural/logical step in our « collaboration ». :) Things happen when they have to happen…
Photogr. Unkn.
I also have to say that I was in a strange mood that evening - not only because I was not supposed to be there, but also because I have been through so many emotions during the concert!! Especially when you sang with Mané: it moved me deeply… This mixing of Ukrainian and French languages was magical. Many thanks to both of you for this beautiful gift. I’ll never forget… But all of this moved me so that I thought that nothing could have touched me more… Well, it seems to me I was wrong. :) Life is full of surprises!
Since we met, people are always asking me the same questions and they all want to know what kind of person you are. It’s a difficult question to answer :) but cognitive science showed that it only takes a few seconds to have a good perception of personality traits. So… « Positive energy », « strength », « enthusiasm », « generous spirit », «great kindness »… These are the words that people are using when they try to describe who you are. I’m not going to disagree with that. :) But I would add « sensitivity », « fragility », « emotion »… Fans too often forget that an artist is an ordinary person like the others people - being talented and working hard doesn’t mean that you’re not feeling joy, fear, pain… on the contrary! I think that all of this feeds creativity. Now, I can also say that your music reflects your soul. :) Well, this shouldn't have been a surprise… but it was so strange to experience the same emotion as when I listened for the first time to one of your songs! Do you know that, since then, I’m listing to your music in a different way?… ;)
For a hundred reasons, I say that « Дiвчина » is my favorite song… Now, I can add one more item to that long list! :)
I didn’t ask to meet you… but I really wanted to give you these few gifts I’ve brought with me (Note to my readers: I’ll speak about this in another post!), so I’m happy that they are - finally! - in your hands. :) They are of little interest, but I wanted you to know that your music resonates with me and that I see in it new challenges to face. Sorry for treating Ukrainian language and your music so badly… :)) but your works are an important source of inspiration for me and I often need to create something new with all these ideas/feelings coming from the depths of my soul…
By the way, I must tell you that, if I decided not to speak Ukrainian, it was not only because I’m still not mastering it… No. The real reason is that I knew that there would have been many questions regarding this and we then could have talked all night long.:)) This would have been nice but, again, I didn’t want to take you more time. But I promise that, next time we will meet, I’ll say a few words in Ukrainian… I love your mother tongue so much!
When I say that we could have talked all night long, I’m not joking… Here are food for thought:
* Regarding OE communication in French, we can easily go a step further. I have a few ideas regarding this…
* French fans have also suggestions and ideas and they asked me to share them with you…
* Do you know what brings so many different people together and why, all over the world, they love you so?….
* I have 2 personal projects related to your works… We must talk about that.
* I must explain what drove me to Ukraine / to your music…
* I must tell you how learning Ukrainian language changed my soul…
* I will say why I love to wear a vyshyvanka - but I won’t tell you why some say that I wear it so well: you know much more than me about this… ;) - and will tell you that, when I was 12, I had "unusual" interests... :)
Photogr. Unkn.
* I'll have to tell you that, now, I’m sure that discovering your music and meeting you is not a chance: it’s the path I have to follow… I still don't really understand why, but time will tell! :)
Many thanks again for the trust you placed in me. Thank you so much for your invitation to come and see you in concert in Ukraine. I love this idea! This will be great ! Thanks again for this. I appreciate that gesture.
I hope to see you soon.
Take care.
God bless you!
Alexa
At first, I thought that the organiser of the Okean Elzy 's concert at the Olympia Hall - Paris needed help to translate some documents into French. But when I understood that I'd have to coordinate and manage the communication plan with French mass media... I couldn't believe it. What a challenge!
I worked hard for weeks on this and, once the event was over, I asked myself the following question: "What do I do now?" :)) In the end, I understood that I had no choice but to move ahead:
Regular postings on the internet is the key of a successful communication with French media and general public. This concert at the Olympia Hall could be the 1st step of a global communication plan to move forward.
I'm always happy to promote Ukrainian Culture and to relay information about charitable actions to support
Ukrainianson Twitter or Google+. It's probably only a drop in the bucket, but...
I love that job. :) I can speak/write about
Okean Elzy and/or Ukraine for hours! With Okean Elzy France, I have a
great opportunity to share my passions. It would be foolish at this point to stop!
I believe that you must take every chance you get in life because, most of the time, they happen only once. I couldn't let this chance slip through my fingers...
Paul Eluard (one of my favourite authors) said, and I believe he is right, “There is no such thing as chance, only encounters”. Generosity, warmth, friendship, enthusiasm, passion, energy... That's what I've found thanks to O.E. music and to my Ukrainian friends.
I feel the need toshare what I have received from others... and that's what I'm doing when I'm posting for Okean Elzy France. What a blessing! Happiness is only real when shared. :)
Many of you asked for more information about the 1st Forum of French-Ukrainian Associations that took place in Paris in the end of January... Finally, here are some pictures & videos of this event!
It was an incredible day and a great experience. Within a few hours, more than 100 people visited Okean Elzy France's stand! I've talked the whole day about Okean Elzy's music and about my passion for Ukrainian culture... Honestly, I never expected that I would be so warmly received! :)
Visitors enjoyed listening to the performances of the "Ukrainian choir of St.Volodymyr":
And I had the pleasure to meet Mebo Nutsubidze (also known as Mebo Renard), a Georgian singer who lives in Paris and who was semifinalist of the reality singing competition "The Voice Ukraine" in 2015...
As you may know, I will attend to the 1st Forum of French-Ukrainian Associations that will take place in Paris on Saturday.
To me, this day is special because, for the 1st time, I'll have the opportunity to talk face-to-face and for hours about Okean Elzy's music. :) And even if it is also a quite challenging event (there was a lot to do), I'm sure this will be a great experience!
On top of meeting Okean Elzy fans and my Ukrainian friends, I'll will for sure create new contacts. It's an opportunity that I must seize!
I don't want to tell you that much about what I prepared for this meeting... but here are a few items that I can share with you today!
- First of all, I had to improve the design of the Okean Elzy France's logo. This picture will be published in a booklet which will list all the French-Ukrainian Associations existing in France.
- In addition, promotional, informational materials and different presents will be distributed... But this is a surprise action of my "communication campaign"that I won't tell you about yet! :))
More information to follow soon... In the meantime, I look forward to meeting you in Paris on Saturday.
"Rendez-vous à Paris !"
PS - Believe it or not, but in French a "Rendez-Vous" is generally understood as a business appointment. :) Anyway, on Saturday we will speak about my first love stories which are music, poetry & Ukraine... All of that is about passion!
Dear friends & readers, as the New Year approaches us with hopes new, I'm wishing you and your family a wonderful year ahead.
I take this opportunity to share with you theOkean Elzy greetings card that I created for our favorite rock band's official communication in French. :)
As you probably know, since March 2015 I’m in charge of Okean Elzy’s official communication in French. Thanks to this extraordinary and important experience, I’m since then in contact with some institutional stakeholders and with many French-Ukrainian independent associations.
Early November, I (Okean Elzy France) have been invited to participate to the:
1er Forum
des Associations et Initiatives Franco-Ukrainiennes
23 Jan. 2016 - 11.00 am to 5.00 pm
Centre Culturel d’Ukraine
(Cultural Center of the Ukrainian Embassy)
22 avenue de Messine - Paris
During this event, visitors will have the opportunity to listen to Ukrainian songs, to taste typical Ukrainian meals and to discover the activities of the French-Ukrainian associations that will attend to the forum:
Cultural associations: Literature, music, creation, art…
Today, Ukraine celebrates the memories of the victims of the Holodomor, the mass starvation in the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933. Why do you feel concerned when you are French?
Photogr. Unkn.
I wouldn't get into a History lesson (I'm fond of History!), but if you want to learn about it, some interesting videos are available on the Web:
As you can imagine, these tragic events have passed from generation to generation and live actively in the Ukrainians of today - could it be otherwise? But I would like to explain today why the French woman that I am feels so concerned by Holodomor.
The first time I've heard about it, I was about 14. During the History course, our teacher told us that, in France, a few people knew about it... and that they kept silent! It was a frightening thought for me to imagine that here, in the country I was living in and where the mottois "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity", we let so many Ukrainians starve to death... How could this happen?
Well, today I know that there were a lot of reasons (this is no excuse, but rather an explanation). Anyway, as it is the case regarding many of the tragic events in History, I can't help thinking a lot about it.
History is the past. You cannot change it. But I believe that, together, we can create a bright future!
Let me tell you that my grandmother was German.She lived at a few miles from a concentration camp. I don't know what she exactly knew about it. I only know that she had a lot of children and she worked hard to feed them... I think that she behaved like the others: she did not want to know. She probably had to face a lot of problems... and when you feel your life is in danger, youbecome selfish and hard of heart. (I am not making any value judgment: neuroscience has revealed the way it works.) But when she arrived in France, it was difficult. It was hard to be considered as "The German". Did she sometimes feel responsible for what happened in Poland - even if she did not play any role in it? I don't know: we were not close and... she never wanted to speak of her youth!
Sometimes I wonder what I would have done if I had lived at that time, in such circumstances. I do not know... And I hope I'll never know. I wish happiness for all of us!
But we have to remember to say "Never again!"
I li a candle and I placed in on the balcony... My heart is in Kiev right now.
