Language Ombudsman explains whether Verka Serdyuchka will be punished for Russian-language songs: there is one "but"

Following Verka Serdyuchka's performance of Russian-language hits in Kyiv and the subsequent outrage of Ukrainians, society became interested in whether Andriy Danylko would be punished for violating language rights. Therefore, the language ombudsman Taras Kremin explained that there was no reason for him to be punished, as everything was legal, but he hoped that the publicity of this event would provoke an intensive spread of Ukrainian.

During a concert on May 17 at the Osocor Residence, Andriy Danylko sang his old Russian-language hits among his new Ukrainian-language hits, which Russians still "jump" to. This spectacle irritated many Ukrainians, because while artists are translating their Russian hits into the state language, Verka Serdyuchka decided not to be bothered and spread this culture to the masses under the pretext of nostalgia. Taras Kremin, the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, explained to the Telegraph that the artist's performance was perfectly legal, but that it is better to avoid such things for ethical reasons.

"If it's an original song, if the singer is not banned, if he is a citizen of Ukraine and it's in the official repertoire, then it's not banned," said Taras Kremin.

During the concert, the audience heard the songs "Everything will be fine", "I didn't understand" and "Dolce Gabbana". According to Eurovision host Anna Tullieva, who was at the concert at the time, she went home because she did not want to listen to Russian-language songs. Subsequently, a discussion on the ethics of such demonstrations in wartime began online.

"For ethical reasons, the audience who attended the concert raised questions. In the future, there may be complaints from citizens about violations of their language rights. We categorically support the initiatives of domestic performers who have switched to Ukrainian and translated their songs. There are hundreds of such examples. Let's hope that this concert will become not only the subject of discussion, but also another wave of Ukrainization in the cultural sphere," the language ombudsman continued.

It is worth noting that Taras Kremin does not plan to let this case go because of several official complaints from citizens. Therefore, the relevant authority should contact the organizers of the scandalous concert and the Ministry of Culture to clarify the situation and create new projects to spread the Ukrainian language.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Andriy Danylko quickly made amends after the public outcry and sang the Ukrainianized chorus of the legendary "Hulyanochka" during his next concert, which took place four days later.

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