We talked to a famous Ukrainian musician, TV presenter, actor and poet, Kola Sierga. Currently, Kolya is a part of the Cultural Forces and shared vivid examples of cultural projects aimed at supporting our defenders and how the interaction of military culture with civil society affects the perception of military events by Ukrainians.
Good afternoon. We know that you have undergone an incredible transformation in recent years. Can you share how your views have changed?
My views have become deeper. Realistic. Without unnecessary romanticism and infantilism. I began to face the truth, without looking away. That’s probably why my eye color has changed. It became not so bright.
You are now a member of the Cultural Forces. How do you assess the impact of culture on the moral and psychological state of Ukrainian troops on the front line? Can you recall any specific examples?
This influence is difficult to overestimate. Culture is a multi-tool for working with imagination. And imagination is the interface that controls our lives.
At one of the performances, one of the boys said: “Let’s applaud Aunt Nina, because her son died in the war that week”. And everyone started applauding. I watched this moment closely and joined in the applause, even though I did not fully understand the meaning of this ritual. But despite this, I felt the power of this action. I planned to perform the song “We will all come home”. But that son, a true hero, will not return home.
We all hope to return home. But if that doesn’t happen, what then? These thoughts struck me and were reflected in my music. That’s how I came up with a line from one of my songs that says: “He who entered the fire of death left us his name forever…”. This thought struck me so much that I wanted to share it with others.
After a moment of silence, I turned to the people standing in front of me and said: “You have raised a true hero.” I am confident that people who pay attention to the fate of our defenders will be able to raise many more true heroes. They, along with people like Aunt Nina, will pass on the most important values by their example.
Trying to understand this thought, it became clear to me: those who survive the fire of trials will be able to teach the next generation true patriotism, which is not limited to words.
That’s why, addressing the guys again, I say: “You have to come back home alive and healthy. It’s not just a wish, it’s a huge responsibility. Because when you come back, you will be the ones who will educate those who will come after you. Those who have been through hell will be able to teach the next generation true values and the importance of patriotism”.
This h2 belief in the future calms the heart, even when the fatigue is already palpable. We know that we are the frontline, but we are also the continuation. We believe in a future day when we can return home, and this belief lives in us forever.
What are the most striking cultural projects you’ve done over the past year and a half to support soldiers at the front?
Cultural Forces is a direct contact cultural work with the military along the front line. Books at the Front is a program that delivers books to the front, brings the authors of these books to the front, and organizes lectures and various literary events.
How do you search for and engage talented artists and performers involved in the creation of military content? We heard that you are taking Loboda for “re-education”?
Through word of mouth. Someone somewhere heard that there is a talented artist in one of the units. We get to know them and, if all goes well, transfer them to our unit, and they become part of the cultural system. We monitor the Internet and social networks in search of talented cultural figures. And some of them come to us by themselves.
We are not interested in quinoa. We are not going to educate anyone. Let their parents do it. We have a team of highly motivated, patriotic cultural figures who do well with honor and understanding of their duty to the country.
Who are the famous people who participate in the Cultural Forces and in the fighting? We know that Kozlovsky was mobilized, will you take him to the Cultural Forces?
Sasha Chemerov, Sasha Yarmak, Svetlana Tarabarova, Miroslav Kuvaldin, Vitaliy Kirichenko, VIP Ternopil, Lera Mandzyuk and many more. Please watch the performances of the Cultural Forces and you will see many familiar faces.
In your opinion, how does cultural content from war zones contribute to public involvement in supporting the military? Can you assess how the integration of military culture into civilian society affects Ukrainians’ understanding of the causes of military events?
Of course, it is. But so far, the civilian media space has yet to learn to work with this. Therefore, military content is integrated into the civilian media space only through social media.
But the more understanding of this and the personal responsibility that all media platforms have, the higher the efficiency of the channels for delivering this content will be. This is a crucial issue now. Because the level of understanding of values, true patriotism, and dedication at the front is much higher than in civilian life. And this is what society can learn from. Straight from the source.
Tell us about your experience with the Book on the Front project and its impact on the military on the front line.
And a cool experience. Our army reads. Our army is smart. Our army is creative. The more the brain works, the less the body suffers. We have sent more than 20,000 books to the front. And this pace is only increasing.
How do you see the Cultural Forces developing in the future, and what projects do you plan to implement to support soldiers and develop a culture in Ukraine?
We are now focused on the present. Because without a dedicated focus on the present, we may not have a future. All plans will begin after the Victory. And before the Victory, all plans are only about the Victory.
