Main points
- Taras Petrynenko, People's Artist of Ukraine, celebrates his 73rd birthday.
- Petrynenko continues to live and work in Ukraine, giving charity concerts both in Ukraine and abroad.
Taras Petrynenko / Photo by Volodymyr Osypenko
Today, March 10, People's Artist of Ukraine Taras Petrynenko turned 73. Volodymyr Zelensky even awarded the artist the “National Legend” award.
- 1 How did Taras Petrynenko work in Ukraine and Russia?
- 2 Personal life and full-scale war
- 3 Where is Taras Petrynenko now?
The artist was born in Kyiv. He began to take serious musical steps at the age of 16, when he became a member of the group “Eney”. Due to the constant transformation of the collective, the VIA “Vizerunki shliakhiv” appeared, which later changed its name to “Grono”. 24 Channel will tell you what is known about Petrinenko's career in Russia and Ukraine and where he is now.
How did Taras Petrynenko work in Ukraine and Russia?
“Grono” lasted only a year, as Taras went to the army. But after the service, the band members changed their name to “Charivni gitary” and moved to Russia.
In 2022, in an interview with “Nashe Chicago”, the artist explained that he had been working in Russia even before the declaration of independence of Ukraine. And there were reasons for this.
There were creative reasons for that. I was actually forbidden to perform what I myself create here. I could only sing songs by members of the Union of Composers, the Union of Writers. I had to go there. This was back in the Soviet Union,
– the singer shared frankly.
“Magic Guitars” band / Photo from Petrinenko's Facebook
The composition “Song about a Song” is of particular importance in the performer's career. There is probably no person in Ukraine who has not heard this unique creative heritage at least once in their life. In Soviet times, it was strictly banned.
Taras Petrynenko and Tetyana Horobets – “Song about a Song”: watch the video online
For a while, the man was a member of the Tula ensemble “Krasnye maki”, which included Ukrainian musicians. It was with this group that he recorded many Russian-language hits. Taras Petrynenko returned to Ukraine in 1986, reviving the group “Grono”, and then created another group on its basis – “Fata Morgana”.
After some time, a unique song appeared – “Ukraine”. Today it has the status of the unofficial anthem of our country .
Taras Petrynenko – “Ukraino”: watch the video online
Note that this composition was first performed in 1987 on the First Channel of Ukrainian Radio. Its original title was “While We Love”.
In another interview in 2023, Petrynenko shared his memories of this song. He admitted that he was afraid to record it because “he knew that no one would take it,” because back then “you could only love Russia.”
“In the end, I turned to the Recording House for friends from Ukrainian Radio and we recorded it almost secretly. But for a long time we were afraid to put the song on the air. My friend, the editor of Ukrainian Radio Veronika Makova, still dared: “Maybe they'll put us all in jail tomorrow, but I'll put it on anyway.” Nobody needed anyone then or now. The song simply began to live its own life. Over time, it became the call sign of Ukrainian radio, now it sounds on Mykhailivskyi Zolotoverkh, it is played every 15 minutes,” the singer said.
Later, Taras Petrynenko became a member of the jury of the legendary Chervona Ruta festival.
When Ukraine became independent, the artist worked on the album “Lord, Have Mercy on Us.” In 1993, it was recognized as the best in Ukraine .
Taras Petrynenko / Photo from the artist's Facebook
Personal life and full-scale war
The singer never publicly shares details about his personal life. However, for several decades now, Tatyana Gorobets has been performing on the same stage with Petrinenko. According to unofficial data, she is the artist's common-law wife and the mother of their son Marian.
Taras never confirmed that the singer was his wife.
I have a son, Mariana Petrinenko. His profession is related to jurisprudence. He did not become a singer, probably because from childhood he was pressured by the authority of his grandmother and father. But this is for the best: being an artist is a difficult path, and once you have gone down it, there is no turning back. As for Tatyana Gorobets, let very curious people think what they want about our relationship. I will say only one thing: we have been singing together for 30 years,
– the people's artist concluded.
Taras Petrynenko and Tetyana Horobets / Photo from the artist's Facebook
When the full-scale war began, Petrynenko was in bed. He heard the explosions and immediately understood what was happening. Moreover, the singer said that he was not surprised by this development of events, because life in Russia helped him realize the true attitude of Russians towards Ukrainians.
I knew, I was waiting for this. I was sure that it would happen more than 30 years ago. I knew that sooner or later it would happen, and this preparation that was being carried out by the Russians, it also spoke volumes,
– the composer said frankly.
Where is Taras Petrynenko now?
As is known, the singer continues to live and create in Ukraine. He does not pay attention to his age, but continues to bring the Ukrainian song, which is the soul of the people, to our space. He also gives charity concerts both in Ukraine and abroad.