The Untold Story of “Carol of the Bells” • Ukrainer in English

From a folk song to the global Christmas hit, the Ukrainian carol “Shchedryk” soared to fame like a swallow. The melody of “Carol of the Bells”, which became an essential part of the Christmas season in the USA and worldwide, was first introduced to the North American audience 100 years ago. On the 5th of October 1922, the Ukrainian Republican Choir led by Oleksandr Koshyts performed the song at one of the main venues in North America – Carnegie Hall.

While almost everyone in the world can recognize the festive jingle of “Carol of the Bells”, very few know the background story of its musical foundation. Together with the Ukrainian Institute, Ukraїner presents the untold story of “Shchedryk”, its cultural mission, and its unique contribution to Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts in the 1920s.

100 years later, in the Carnegie Hall in New York, the Notes from Ukraine concert will take place to mark the anniversary of “Shchedryk”.

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Co-screenwriter, author of Shchedryk's history research: Tina Peresunko
Scriptwriter: Liza Nyevyezhyna
Project manager: Liudmyla Kucher
Author of the Ukraїner project: Bogdan Logvynenko
Translator: Dmytro Vaskovskyi
Translation editor: Julia Tymoshenko
Broadcaster: Istan Rozumny
Art director: Yasya Bohdanova
Designer-illustrator: Anatolii Todorov
Motion Designer: Vova Morrow
Sound director: Serhii Duzhykh
The team of the Ukrainian institute: Tetyana Filevska, Tetiana Sadova, Kseniia Kalyna, Oleksandra Gaidai
Special thanks: Mykola Nosok
Partner for working with archives: NGO "Leontovych Institute"
Narbutorum font: George Narbut (1918), Dmytro Rastvortsev (2014)
GT America font: Grilli Type

Materials from YouTube open sources were used in this video:
Libera - Carol of the Bells New
Carol of the Bells - The Tabernacle Choir
Eurovision song contest Turin 2022 (Kalush orchestra)
Fragments from movies and animated series:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone, Home Alone, Die Hard, The Simpsons, Family Guy