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Young Rotaru, Bilyk and Ponomarev. Star of the 90s Astraya showed a stunning rare photo that no one has seen
Sofia Rotaru, Oleksandr Ponomarev and Iryna Bilyk
One of the most popular singers of the 90s, Astraya, showed an archive photo from many years ago that had never been published before. The photo shows leading Ukrainian artists surrounded by representatives of the political elite, including then-President Leonid Kuchma, his chief of staff Yevhen Kushnarev, and Kyiv Mayor Oleksandr Omelchenko.
The photo shows Sophia Rotaru, Iryna Bilyk, Oleksandr Ponomaryov, Vasyl Zinkevych, Vitaliy Bilonozhko, Lyubov and Viktor Anisimov, and TV hosts Oleksandr Safonov and Vasyl Ilashchuk. Astraya, who is also pictured in the photo, shared the photo with OBOZ.UA during an interview with our editorial board.
"This photo was taken during the All-Ukrainian Song Vernissage Festival," commented Astrya at our request, "It was one of the very first contests of contemporary song on our stage. His father is the legendary director Borys Sharvarko. The photo is from 1996 or 1997."
When asked if the artists of that time were friends with each other, Astraya replied: "Then, as now, everyone was friends mostly in their own circles. Whoever went on tour with whom, whoever performed together in concerts, was closer to them. From time to time, I hear talk that Sofia Rotaru was a bit aloof and even arrogant in the company of artists. No, it's not true. She was very friendly to her colleagues, especially to young people."
"My then-husband, composer Hennadii Tatarchenko, was her author. Once we went to her hotel at her invitation, and he showed us his new songs," Astraya continues, "I never felt arrogance from her, even though she was a huge star at the time. I remember her as very simple and friendly."
"I was friends with Bilonozhky, Zibrov, Matviychuk at the time – we toured a lot together," the artist adds, "And the idea that someone would not greet you in show business, refuse to communicate – that came later. There was no such thing at that time. Respect, culture, and gratitude to the audience reigned then. By the way, I also noticed Nina Shestakova in the photo; she worked as Sofia's backup singer for some time and then became an independent singer. She became a People's Artist of Ukraine. My husband also wrote songs for her, so I remember her very well."
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