Main points
- Vasyl Zinkevich, who turned 81, is known as the performer of “Chervona Ruta” and has the title of Hero of Ukraine.
- He became popular after performing with Nazariy Yaremchuk and Volodymyr Ivasyuk in 1971 and has many state awards, but has rarely appeared on stage in recent years.
Vasyl Zinkevich / Collage 24 Channel
Today, on the first day of May, Vasyl Zinkevych, Hero of Ukraine, turns 81. In recent years, the singer has been appearing on stage less and less often, but each of his new performances shows that the artist has definitely not lost his charisma and talent.
- 1 How did Vasyl Zinkevich become popular?
- 2 What does Vasyl Zinkevich look like now and where is he now?
- 3 Interesting facts about the life of the maestro
Zinkevich was born in the village of Vaskivtsi, Khmelnytskyi region. When he returned from the army, he came to Vyzhnytsia to finish his studies at the art school of applied arts. At the same time, he became the artistic director of the folk dance ensemble “Smerechyna”, although he had no musical education. Later, Vasyl began studying at the singing school of Levko Dutkivsky and became the first male soloist in the female group of VIA “Smerichka”. Further in the material , 24 Channel will tell interesting facts from the life of the performer and show what he looks like now.
How did Vasyl Zinkevich become popular?
In 1971, Vasyl Zinkevich, Nazariy Yaremchuk, and Volodymyr Ivasyuk sang “Chervona Ruta” in Moscow at the “Song of the Year” competition.
Zinkevich, Yaremchuk, Ivasyuk – “Chervona Ruta”: watch the video online
This performance brought all three artists incredible success throughout the Soviet Union.
The same year, the first Ukrainian TV musical “Chervona Ruta” was released. The story revolved around the characters Oksana (played by Sofia Rotaru) and Boris (played by Vasyl Zinkevich), who met by chance on a train.
Vasyl Zinkevich and Sofia Rotaru in the musical “Chervona Ruta” / Photo by “Zbruch” publication
The duo of Yaremchuk and Zinkevich broke up in 1975. Dutkivsky once said that this party leadership had divided the “too Ukrainian” artists among themselves.
Vasyl Zinkevich and Nazariy Yaremchuk / Photo from the archive of Levko Dutkivskyi
After that, Zinkevych moved to Lutsk and became a soloist in VIA “Svityaz”, becoming the most popular singer in Ukraine.
Vasyl Zinkevich – “Water Flows”: watch the video online
Zinkevych never liked to talk about his personal life. It is known that the artist has two sons – Bohdan and Vasyl.
Vasyl proved himself as a talented musician, becoming a co-founder of the popular band “Tartak” together with Sasha Polozhynsky. But he lasted only two years. In the following years, Zinkevych's son was engaged in design. Bohdan chose the path of an instrumentalist, gaining recognition as a keyboard player under the pseudonym Zinchek in the band “Main Indicator”.
But today, Vasyl Jr. serves in the army as a grenade launcher. He currently covers infantrymen during enemy assaults in the Third Assault Brigade.
Vasyl Zinkevich with his son Vasyl / Photo from the website of the Office of the President
What does Vasyl Zinkevich look like now and where is he now?
It is known that the singer spends most of his time in Kyiv, but rarely goes on stage. His last performance took place on March 2 on the occasion of the birthday of his former colleague from VIA “Smerichka” Volodymyr Ivasyuk.
We recently shared what is known about the death of Volodymyr Ivasyuk, who was found hanged in the forest.
And here is the performer's performance from March 2. In the video, you can see that Zinkevich still maintains a slim figure, and behaves like a true professional on stage. The singer exudes the spirit of Ukrainian song, which he has carried for decades.
Interesting facts about the maestro's life
- Zinkevich once made stage costumes. His costumes were even exhibited in Paris.
- Vasyl auditioned for the song “Snowflakes Are Falling,” but Dutkivskyi said the singer wasn't suitable. However, the young artist wasn't going to give up so easily. He insisted on another take, into which he put all his soul and talent.
Vasyl Zinkevich and VIA “Smerichka” – “Snowflakes are Falling”: watch the video online
- Combining the talent of a singer with the creativity of a fashion designer, he, together with Alla Dutkovskaya, created a unique collection of costumes called “Goryanka” especially for the soloists of VIA “Smerichki”.
- In 1989, a big concert by Vasyl Zinkevych and the Svityaz ensemble was held at the Lviv Ukraina Stadium. After the performance was coming to an end, the artist took the hand of a girl who was a member of the Usmeshka group and said that this child would become a real star. That girl was Ruslana Lyzhychko , who won the Eurovision Song Contest for Ukraine in 2004.
- Vasyl Zinkevych has many state awards: the Shevchenko State Prize, the Order of Yaroslav the Wise, IV degree, the title of Hero of Ukraine. He was awarded the honorary citizen of Lutsk and even created a personal star on the “Walk of Stars” in Kyiv. In 2025, the artist came to the ceremony of presenting the “National Legend of Ukraine” award.
Vasyl Zinkevych at the award ceremony / Photo from the website of the Office of the President
- The artist never participates in memorial concerts. He makes no exceptions, even when it comes to his friends.