Ukrainian music can be lyric and beautiful even if it’s a war song. For example, one of the songs that was often sang by cossacks “Ой на горі та женці жнуть” (eng: “Oh on the mountain and reapers reap”).
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=Sr34uAgjwNQ
The song itself is quite melancholic, even though it was one sang by the warriors, Cossacks primarily, emphasizing how Ukrainians usually tried to retain the beauty in the words.
Moving to more peaceful times, Ukrainians liked to sing rather rapid dancing songs with a funny storytelling behind, showing that feasts were usually a place where people tried to be happy and funny, even if the times were not, since hungers and weather were not always sparing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo_hzsGdF78
In the times of soviet occupation, there were many insurgencies going around. Sometimes their actions and decisions could be questionable, but after all they tried to maintain Ukrainian dignity and bring the country to independence in a way, and the songs usually sang about their determination towards it, even if they are likely to find death on the way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pchv7llNis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nZlrjasG5c
During further soviet occupation it was barely possible to actively create public media in a language other than Russian, heavily influencing Ukrainian culture. However, there were some works that the party found acceptable. Another expansion in music and arts Ukraine truly experienced when the soviet union finally fell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGVtUjRSHoo
Currently, the most common thing you would hear on a radio is pop-music, with quite a common text singing about love and everything, being usually borrowed from west countries. However lately due to Russo-Ukrainian war happening lots of old Ukrainian Insurgency Army songs and modern new comes have returned to the society, now being often streamed via the radio.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnS068oVx7A
German music has a long and varied tradition, shaped by history, regional culture, and social change. Early German folk songs were often lyrical and poetic, with themes of nature, longing, and everyday life. Similar to the emotional tone found in Ukrainian folk music. Songs like “Der Lindenbaum” show how melody and melancholy were intertwined. While lively dance tunes such as the Ländler brought humor and energy to village celebrations, offering people joy even in difficult times. https://youtu.be/zC7gEVSgf9k?si=MuLEmnvV0KM94L2Kü
Periods of political conflict also left strong marks on German musical culture. During the 19th-century struggles for unity, patriotic and freedom songs became common. In the 20th century many artists used music to express protest or hope. Under the Nazi regime, cultural expression was heavily restricted, much like the pressure Ukrainian culture faced under Soviet occupation. Despite censorship, underground and resistance songs kept alternative voices alive. https://youtu.be/NoAZG_O-5ro?si=UMXPoO3_4VLZuls8
After World War II, German music split into different paths in East and West. The West saw the rise of Schlager, rock, and protest music, while the East developed its own singer-songwriter and rock traditions within a controlled cultural system. When the country was reunified, German music expanded rapidly, leading to the growth of German-Language Songs. https://youtu.be/WH-Aoz1akXo?si=vJrUyDxVrDOIdAc_
Today, German music is highly diverse: mainstream pop dominates the radio, rap has become one of the most influential genres, and regional folk traditions are experiencing renewed interest. As in Ukraine, times of social tension have also led many people in Germany to rediscover older songs connected to identity and history, showing how music continues to serve as a cultural anchor across generations. https://youtu.be/haECT-SerHk?si=RyNVP7D-Prtm199S
Yevhen Hrechko, Marie Gebert
Comments