65 YEARS IN 1 HOUR: A HISTORY OF THE MISTAKES OF UKRAINIAN POPMUSIC

Light music and pop music are a reflection of their times. Albert Tsukrenko discusses how sound, aesthetics and lyrics shaped politics, social realities and the evolution of Ukrainian identity from the Soviet era through to independence.
Rather than a traditional, purely celebratory retrospective, Tsukrenko takes a critical, analytical and often humorous look at the milestones and missteps – that is, stylistic breaks, political compromises, the pressure of censorship and societal blind spots. Music as a mirror of society: the core message is that the visual aesthetics, production techniques and lyrics of Ukrainian pop music directly reflect the collective psychological state of the time and the evolution of national identity.
The project is not a dry lecture, but a blend of a lecture and a live concert. Tsukrenko acts as both narrator and performer. He uses digital storytelling and historical analysis, and presents his own live cover versions and musical adaptations of old retro tracks to bring the soundtrack of Ukraine’s contemporary history to life.