East-Cork based member of National Ukrainian Choir to join music legend Phil Coulter on stage
A National Ukrainian Choir, brought together by local development companies across Ireland, has released a new version of Phil Coulter’s single, ‘Steal Away’, in collaboration with the singer. The choir is made up of people who have fled Ukraine as a result of the war and who are currently based around Ireland. The single, translated into Ukrainian, was officially launched at a special event in Saint Stephen’s Church, Dublin. Photographed at the launch were members of the national Ukrainian choir with Jonas Krauklys on guitar, Phil Coulter, Yulia Boyko, choir director, Viktor Boyko on trumpet and Sergej Balan on accordion. Photo: Marc O'Sullivan
A Cork member of the National Ukrainian Choir is set to join legendary musician Phil Coulter for two songs on stage at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre tonight.
Midleton-based Alisa Karsei will be among those who will take to the stage of the landmark theatre in Dublin.
Composed of over 30 Ukrainians who fled the war in their homeland, the choir will perform 'Steal Away' accompanied by Coulter on piano, and 'Carol of the Bells' accompanied by three trumpeters: Victor Boyko, husband of choir director Yulia Boyko, and their two sons Anton and Alex.
'Carol of the Bells' has its origins in the Ukrainian folksong ‘Shchedryk’.
Coulter’s 'Steal Away' was recently translated into Ukrainian by choir director Yulia Boyko, recorded and released as a single by the National Ukrainian Choir in collaboration with the singer.
Originally written by the artist 40 years ago, it tells the story of a couple who escape from the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Available for download via Spotify, the choir’s journey with Coulter also forms the basis for a special documentary, due to be released in 2024.
"This is one of the most rewarding projects I’ve ever undertaken, and is much more than just a re-recording for me, it’s about reaching out to our Ukrainian communities across Ireland in a spirit of warmth, welcome and solidarity," Coulter commented ahead of the concert.
Also speaking ahead of tonight's concert, Adeline O’Brien, CEO at Empower, the local development company for Fingal, said the initiative and the live performance are aimed at "raising awareness".
"The war in Ukraine continues, and there are still people arriving in Ireland fleeing from conflict, whether that’s in Ukraine or further afield. "Working with Phil Coulter on this initiative has helped to highlight the situation Ukrainian’s are undergoing," she said.
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