Yuriy Yevgenievich Rybchynskyi is a Soviet and Ukrainian poet, playwright, screenwriter, one of the founders of modern Ukrainian pop song.
Place of Birth, Education
He was born on May 22, 1945 in Kyiv, in the Podilskyi district.
In 1967, he was educated at the Taras Shevchenko State University of Kyiv.
Career
He became really interested in poetry back in the 1960s. While studying at Kyiv State University, his poems began to appear in some publications. Already at the age of 18, his works were published in the magazine “Yunost” and in the newspaper “Komsomolskaya Pravda”. Since then, the name of Rybchinsky has become known not only in Ukraine, but also abroad.
Over the years, Rybchinsky’s popularity and recognition only grew, as did the circle of composers with whom he collaborated. He became the author of the lyrics for a number of songs:
- with Volodymyr Ivasyuk, he created such compositions as “Maple Fire” and “Fate Has Its Own Spring”;
- in collaboration with Igor Poklad, “Autumn Song”, “Wild Geese”, “Magic Violin”, “Water Flows” and “Green Maple” appeared;
- with Igor Shamo he worked on the song “Three Tips”;
- with Mykola Mozgov he worked on the songs “A Day Passes” and “Again I Go to the Mountains”;
- with Gennadiy Tatarchenko he wrote “Vivat, the King…”;
- with Pavel Zibrov – “Khreshchatyk”.
More than 150 poems by Rybchinsky were set to music. In particular, he is rightfully considered one of the founders of Ukrainian pop song. He writes lyrics for famous artists, but at the same time he has a knack for noticing and supporting new talents.
Rybchinsky is also the author of librettoes for musical performances: “Late Wednesday”, “Liar”, “Comrade Love”, the rock opera “White Crow. Joan of Arc” and the opera “The White Guard”.
In 2007, the premiere of the rock opera “The Perfumer” also took place, for which he wrote the libretto.
Political Activities
From April 1997 to January 2000, Rybchynskyi served as a freelance adviser to the President of Ukraine on cultural issues.
In March 1998, he ran for the Verkhovna Rada from the Social Democratic Party of Ukraine (United).
Honors
Rybchynskyi has many state awards and honorary titles:
- On August 22, 2020, he was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine;
- On May 21, 2015, he received the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, V degree;
- In 2000, he was awarded the title of People’s Artist of Ukraine;
- in 1995 – Honored Artist of Ukraine.
- On August 20, 2021, he was awarded the award of the President of Ukraine “National Legend of Ukraine”;
- is a laureate of the All-Union competitions “Best Song of the Year” for 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978-1980, 1983, 1987-1989.
