Olha Kryukova: It is necessary to leave social system to achieve something

Author: Den Dansky

At the age of five Olha knew which occupation she would devote her life to. In spite of her parents were far from show-business: her father was a lawmaker, mother - a teacher, she decided to win the stage. But she understood: song performer is a good work, but another basic education will not prevent. Afterwards philological skills not once helped the honoured artist of Ukraine. 

- Olha, it wasn't discussed in the family that you would become a singer. But simultaneously you studied several languages - English and French. Is their knowledge inseparably connected with your creative work?

- The profession of philologist gave me many benefits. Performing a foreign language song it is easier to carry all emotions and nuances which are very necessary to give to a listener.

- Your French language song "Don't tell farewell to our love" became popular far beyond Ukraine...

- It has a very interesting history. In 1998 this composition, namely the clip, entered the top-ten best works of the world at the Imagina festival in Monaco. Then the fist place got David Bowie, the second - legendary "Aerosmith", Celine Dion was the third and we took the fourth position!

- But you didn't manage to be present during the award ceremony. Why?

- It's a pity, the answer is banal - I was refused to issue a visa.

- It's a pity.

- Of course, the Imagina festival is in a row with Cannes and Berlin festivals. But the most important is that we have the award. It's a pity, but in Ukraine at that moment the clip to the "Don't tell farewell to our love" song took the twenty-fourth place in a rating.

- Does it means that there were no reaction in our country to such triumph?

- It was just mentioned casually! But it Moscow the clip was shown on several channels free of charge.

- The whole year you studied jazz singing in the Netherlands. Why have you chosen the Amsterdam conservatoire?

- In Europe there are several jazz vocal schools: in England and Holland. Jazz in these countries is very popular and it is better to get the vocal musical education there.

- Did you have a chance to stay in Amsterdam?

- I was proposed a professional contract, but on one condition: to change a citizenship. I refused and returned to Kyiv. Then I couldn't even imagine what difficulties I would face with in the domestic show-business. Now, I would have rather accepted the proposition.

- But in spite of all obstacles, you have become the honoured artist of Ukraine! At first it was very difficult, as you started from the very beginning?

- In 1999ies it was easier to come to the stage, than now. For example, first money which I invested in songs recording I earned with the help of tutoring, preparing students for the French language exams.  And it was easier to find a sponsor in those times.

- What were your first acquaintances in the Ukrainian show-business?

- Viktor Herasymov, Volodymyr Bystryakov, Arnold Svyatohorov and Yuriy Rybchynskyi were one of the first who helped me. Then other poets and composers proposed to cooperate.

- The competition in the Ukrainian show-business is rather serious. Did you have to change often in creative image in order to keep abreast with other popular singers?

- It is necessary to leave social system to achieve something. That's why I do not follow such goal to copy somebody.

- The year 2004 became new turn in your work. The UNO awarded you with a medal for participation in peacemaking movement! You went to Lebanon with charitable concerts. Weren't  you afraid?

- I'm happy that I could bring some happiness to our peacemakers, as they have a very difficult and dangerous work. Sometimes it was scary. For example, when you stay near minefield and see how mines are exploded, legs are shivering.

 - Olha, is it true that you were one of the first Ukrainian performers who would like to insure the voice?

-  I really was going to do this, but another performer did this first. But I managed to become the first performer who insured a recital.

- What is your attitude to the popularity?

- The popularity is one of indicators that you are needed. Of course, it is pleasant when people recognize you on streets, but the fame, to my mind, must not be an end in itself.

- And what are you working on now?

- I record my author disc. I can't tell the exact date of its release, as I work on every song thoroughly. I also prepare new concert program, which I'm going to stage personally.