Cultural Artifact #2
The cultural artifact I will write about in this post is the song Люди як кораблі (People are like ships) by Antytila. I encountered this song while listening to my favorite Ukrainian rock station in Kiev on Radio-Garden. While the song was released in 2016, its lyrics and melody carry are extremely powerful and likely continue to resonate with Ukrainian listeners today in the climate of war. The lyrics of Люди як кораблі immediately struck me with their metaphorical richness and poignant reflection on human relationships, conflict, and resilience.
Released in 2016, during a period of heightened geopolitical tension and ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the song resonates as both a commentary on the national struggle and a universal reflection on human nature. The tone of the song is melancholic yet determined. Lines like “На глубине встречаются все” (At the depth, all meet) and “Гордо плыл - и не верит никто, что им заинтересовалось зло” (Proudly sailed, not believing evil took an interest in them) reflect a recognition of life's challenges. However, the theme of resilience persists both in the lyrics and empowering melody. At its core, Люди як кораблі serves to reconcile both human fragility and their resistance nonetheless, especially in the context of a conflict-ridden Ukraine. The motif of people as ships is particularly powerful. Ships symbolize exploration and journey, but also war and treachery. It is within this duality that the song captures the experience of both the individual and the nation in times of extraordinary hardship.
In the context of 2016 Ukraine, the song resonates deeply with the country’s sociopolitical reality. Following the 2014 Euromaidan protests, the annexation of Crimea, and war in the Donbas region, the song was marked by national upheaval. Antytila’s lyrics reflect the pain of this period: the betrayal (“хто не доплив, бо йому помогли набрати повні трюми води”—Those who didn’t make it because they were helped to take on full holds of water) and the resilience of those who continue to strive for truth (“А від берега знов у море ідуть ті, хто віру і правду знати хотів”—And from the shore, again into the sea, go those who wanted to know faith and truth). The song epitomizes Ukraine’s collective endurance against external aggression and internal challenges. The song is particularly powerful to me for the amount of times I’ve heard it played on the radio this semester. The song strikes me every time, and I am left with chills after listening. I can understand why Ukrainians derive so much meaning and inspiration from the song, informing its popularity on the radio despite being 8 years old now. Moreover, the song represents a historical and cultural throughline from the annexation of Crimea to today, continuing to be emblematic of Ukraine’s resilience in the face of war.
Source
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVfJkmRuM1k
The cultural artifact I will write about in this post is the song Люди як кораблі (People are like ships) by Antytila. I encountered this song while listening to my favorite Ukrainian rock station in Kiev on Radio-Garden. While the song was released in 2016, its lyrics and melody carry are extremely powerful and likely continue to resonate with Ukrainian listeners today in the climate of war. The lyrics of Люди як кораблі immediately struck me with their metaphorical richness and poignant reflection on human relationships, conflict, and resilience.
Released in 2016, during a period of heightened geopolitical tension and ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the song resonates as both a commentary on the national struggle and a universal reflection on human nature. The tone of the song is melancholic yet determined. Lines like “На глубине встречаются все” (At the depth, all meet) and “Гордо плыл - и не верит никто, что им заинтересовалось зло” (Proudly sailed, not believing evil took an interest in them) reflect a recognition of life's challenges. However, the theme of resilience persists both in the lyrics and empowering melody. At its core, Люди як кораблі serves to reconcile both human fragility and their resistance nonetheless, especially in the context of a conflict-ridden Ukraine. The motif of people as ships is particularly powerful. Ships symbolize exploration and journey, but also war and treachery. It is within this duality that the song captures the experience of both the individual and the nation in times of extraordinary hardship.
In the context of 2016 Ukraine, the song resonates deeply with the country’s sociopolitical reality. Following the 2014 Euromaidan protests, the annexation of Crimea, and war in the Donbas region, the song was marked by national upheaval. Antytila’s lyrics reflect the pain of this period: the betrayal (“хто не доплив, бо йому помогли набрати повні трюми води”—Those who didn’t make it because they were helped to take on full holds of water) and the resilience of those who continue to strive for truth (“А від берега знов у море ідуть ті, хто віру і правду знати хотів”—And from the shore, again into the sea, go those who wanted to know faith and truth). The song epitomizes Ukraine’s collective endurance against external aggression and internal challenges. The song is particularly powerful to me for the amount of times I’ve heard it played on the radio this semester. The song strikes me every time, and I am left with chills after listening. I can understand why Ukrainians derive so much meaning and inspiration from the song, informing its popularity on the radio despite being 8 years old now. Moreover, the song represents a historical and cultural throughline from the annexation of Crimea to today, continuing to be emblematic of Ukraine’s resilience in the face of war.
Source
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVfJkmRuM1k
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