“You can take away land, but you can't erase culture”… Ukrainian musician's Seoul concert [Interview]

On the evening of the 24th, Ukrainian pianist Taras Filenko performed at the German Cultural Center in Seoul's Namtansan Park, wearing traditional Ukrainian attire. He played a representative work of Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk, "Melody," with Korean violinist Park Hyunjin. On the stage, a painting titled "Hurt Bird" by Ukrainian modern artist Leon Hushcha was projected on the screen behind the stage.

The audience's reaction upon hearing the symphony's climax was one of stunned silence or tears. The pianist for the performance on Ukraine Independence Day was the 68-year-old professor Taras Filenko. The pianist, who served as the director and conductor of the Kiev National Music Academy and the deputy head of the vocal department, had to abandon his position when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Since then, he has performed over 100 times in countries such as the United States, South America, Africa, and China to promote Ukrainian culture. Filenko explained that in preparing for his performance, he dedicates about 20% of his time to practicing piano and the remaining 80% to preparing visual and sculptural elements, as well as cultural explanations for the audience.

He emphasized that simply playing beautiful music is not enough; he wants to introduce it within a cultural context, finding images that connect with the emotions of each piece. During his tight schedule in Seoul, Andong, and Busan from the 19th to the 24th, he visited the National Folk Museum to study Korean traditional instruments like the gayageum and the Ukrainian dzhuzhur.

Filenko aimed to connect Ukrainian culture with the audience and show how much they resemble each other. He believes that "culture is the backbone of a nation," as its history, traditions, and memories are embedded in it. He pointed out that during Soviet rule, Ukraine's literary works and musical works were suppressed, and traditional methods like oral transmission remained crucial.

Filenko warned that in occupied Ukraine, using Ukrainian language in schools and wearing traditional clothing could result in imprisonment, as it is considered an act of loyalty to Ukraine. He also expressed concern about "cultural theft" by Russia, where Ukrainian art is forced to be presented as Russian art. Despite the war's grim future for Ukrainian culture, he believes it is still alive.

In Kyiv, music performances continue even under bombardment, and opera performances in Odessa regularly sell out. He stated that art serves as a compass, uniting people in adversity. Filenko concluded by emphasizing that Ukrainian art remains resilient.