On May 24–25, important cultural events took place in Odessa, confirming the city’s special role on Ukraine’s cultural map. Odessa is multinational, but above all, a Ukrainian city whose resilience during the war inspires the entire country. This view was expressed by the well-known Lviv singer, artist, and producer Solomiya Chubay, who came to present the work of her father — poet of the Lviv underground Hrytsko Chubay.
Two major events featuring Solomiya were held: a lecture in the Golden Hall of the Odesa Literary Museum and a poetry performance at the Emil Gilels Art School. Chubay’s poems were read by Odessa poets and members of creative groups, creating an atmosphere of lively dialogue with the poet. Ukrainian writer Maria Halina noted that Chubay’s legacy is an example of a broken talent’s fate, who could have changed Ukrainian literature if he had been given a voice during his lifetime. She also emphasized the cultural kinship between Odessa and Lviv.
The events were initiated by Maya Dimerli, head of the Odesa — UNESCO City of Literature Office, who also conducted an interview with Solomiya Chubay.
Solomiya shared that she first came to Odessa in 2022, invited by the military, and saw a city under constant shelling. Her impression of Odessa was profound.
Speaking about her father, she said she discovered him through his poetry, as she was very young when he died. Through Hrytsko Chubay’s work, she understood that he was a genius who, in the 1970s and 80s, promoted the Ukrainian language, culture, and creative freedom amid Soviet oppression
Chubay was a charismatic leader who gathered intellectuals and artists around him. Solomiya describes him as a cheerful, sociable person with a rich language, capable of inspiring others through oratory.
According to Solomiya, the music of the band “Plach Yeremiyi,” featuring Chubay’s lyrics, helped bring her father’s poetry to different generations.
She considers her mission to popularize her father’s legacy, introducing him to contemporary listeners and readers, and reminding people of the tragedy of the dissidents of the 60s–80s who lived under Soviet repression.
Regarding the reception of Chubay’s work in Odessa, Solomiya is confident that his poems remain relevant and close to people today. She quotes the poem “Vertep,” which calls on people to be themselves, love their land, language, and culture, respect others, and know their roots.
She emphasizes that remembering the past will help build a better future.
