Pokrovsk, a city in eastern Ukraine, is known as the birthplace of the famous “Carol of the Bells.” However, this year, the city is almost unrecognizable. While a dusting of snow covers the empty streets, the sound of heavy shelling constantly fills the air. Buildings are in ruins, and the city is barely standing as Russian forces advance.
Russian Forces Closing In
Currently, Russian troops are just two miles from Pokrovsk’s city center. As a result, most of the population has fled, leaving behind an eerily quiet town. Many homes are without electricity, gas, or water. Those who remain, such as Ihor, only venture out when necessary. “Living on a powder keg,” he says, “you never know when or where the next shell will land.”
Survival Amid the Shelling
Oksana, a 43-year-old resident, is too frightened to leave her home, but she ventures out during the lulls in shelling to gather firewood and coal for warmth. Although she hopes that Ukraine’s armed forces can defend the city, she realistically believes Pokrovsk will likely fall. Despite the bleak situation, the people’s will to survive persists.
Preparing for the Worst
In response to the looming threat, Pokrovsk has already started to prepare for the worst. The statue of Mykola Leontovych, the composer of “Carol of the Bells,” has been removed. Additionally, the music school that bore his name now stands empty and boarded up. While Leontovych may not be well known in the West, his composition, based on a Ukrainian folk chant, is recognized globally. The carol became famous as “Carol of the Bells,” and its use in the film Home Alone further cemented its place in popular culture.
Music Keeps the Memory Alive
Despite the ongoing crisis, the music of Pokrovsk lives on. Viktoria Ametova, a former music teacher from the city, has relocated to Dnipro. There, she watches 13-year-old Anna Hasych, a young girl displaced by the war, play “Shchedryk” (the original name of “Carol of the Bells”) on the piano. Anna’s mother, Yulia, emphasizes the importance of remembering their city through its music. Anna shares that the song once reminded her of happy times, but now it is a sad reminder of home.
Shchedryk as a Symbol of Resistance
Interestingly, for some, “Shchedryk” has transformed into a symbol of defiance. A Ukrainian military band, stationed in the trenches, plays the song using improvised instruments, such as a rocket launcher casing filled with rice. Colonel Bohdan Zadorozhnyy, the leader of the band, explains that the song helps lift the soldiers’ spirits and motivates them to keep fighting. For 22-year-old Roman, “Shchedryk” represents not just music, but the pride and freedom of Ukraine. He says the song gives him goosebumps, filling him with a deep sense of national pride.
Preserving Culture Amid Destruction
Despite the destruction around them, Pokrovsk’s people remain committed to preserving their cultural heritage. Angelina Rozhkova, the director of the city’s history museum, has successfully moved most of its valuable artifacts, including those related to Leontovych, to safety. According to Rozhkova, Russia aims not only to take Ukraine’s territory but also to erase its culture. Although the people of Pokrovsk may never return, they are resolute in preserving their past. As Rozhkova puts it, “keeping and saving, equals winning.”
Leontovych’s Legacy Endures
In conclusion, while Pokrovsk may eventually fall, its spirit will endure. Mykola Leontovych’s life was tragically cut short when he was killed by a Soviet agent in 1921, but his music has remained a powerful symbol of Ukraine’s struggle for independence. Like the people of Pokrovsk, Leontovych’s composition continues to symbolize resilience and the fight for identity, underscoring the enduring strength of Ukraine.
