**Ukraine‘s Iconic Christmas Song Has a Surprising History**
A century ago, Ukraine was fighting for independence from Russia. In the midst of this struggle, a bold diplomatic plan was hatched to introduce Ukrainian culture to the world. This effort led to the creation of one of the most recognizable Christmas songs in history.
**The Song that Became a Global Hit**
“Carol of the Bells,” also known as “Shchedryk,” has become a winter anthem loved by billions worldwide. It’s been recorded over 150 times and featured in numerous TV shows and holiday ads, including classic movies like “Home Alone.” If monetized, it could have generated $130 million.
**A Song with Ukrainian Roots**
The song originated from pre-Christian New Year celebrations held in March to mark the arrival of spring. The lyrics promised a bountiful harvest and prosperity for the coming year. A folk collector discovered the song in the 19th century, and it eventually reached Mykola Leontovych, who refined its melody over six years.
**A Daring Diplomatic Gamble**
In 1916, Leontovych passed his composition to Oleksandr Koshyts, a renowned conductor. Koshyts brought Shchedryk to life at a Christmas concert in Kyiv, sparking the audience’s magic spell. This was the first time a spring folk song became a Christmas sensation.
**A Desperate Bid for Independence**
As Ukraine declared independence from Russia, its leaders saw an opportunity to use cultural diplomacy to gain allies. They sent Koshyts’ choir on tour across Europe, with Shchedryk as their flagship piece. The tour was meant to precede the Paris Peace Conference, where the map of Europe would be redrawn.
**The Last Train Out**
However, Russian troops closed in on Kyiv, forcing the choir to flee on the last train out. Despite the turmoil, they rehearsed their program on the run and eventually made their European debut at Prague’s National Theatre in May 1919.
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