Today, the legendary Ukrainian musician Andriy Kuzmenko should have turned 50. Kuzma this way, so simply and in a friendly way he was called and continues being called his close people and fans. His art didn’t require constant broadcasts on radio or television. Songs that were written by Kuzma, without all these things are known by heart. About how people pay their respect to Kuzma in social media – in the reactions from DUMKA.
On the web-page of the “Scryabin” band, whose leader was Kuzma, they emphasized that Andriy not “would have been 50”, but “he is 50” because he exists. Maybe not like all of us, but he exists: in our thoughts and in our heart. He’s in that chick, with which he took a photo on the gas station between his regular trips. He’s in that guy who has two old tickets from his concert. And these guys and chicks, there are thousands of them. At the same time, they emphasized in the post that Andriy Kuzmenko was not just “simple-minded, from the people,” but a very deep and difficult, because you have to think very broadly to put words into a song so easily.
Director Tonia Noyabryova also turned to Kuzma as if he was still among us. In this post, Andriy is remembered as a person who could spontaneously buy tickets for a concert, book a hotel in Norway, and then calmly deep meat in a ketchup that someone spilled on a table. The author of the post admitted that she became a director thanks to Kuzma, and therefore she is sure that he is proud of her.
Journalist Serhiy Smalchuk told that he was not very close to Andriy, but then, when an accident, the result of which was musician’s death, had happened, the pain was simply unbelievable. Since then, Smalchuk has been publishing his own story twice a year, which, according to him, is perhaps the dearest for all years of work.
Lesyk Turko Ukrainian singer and musician, ex-participant and co-founder of the “DZIDZIO” band, published an old photo with Andriy. It was made in the second half of the 90’s, just before America. In the end, those old photos are valuable: back then there were no smartphones with cameras, and therefore every photo was at a premium.
Olga Shurova, the vocalist, member of “Pianoboy” band and sister of the singer Dmytro Shurov, told how and why a famous cover version of the song “Shampanski ochi”(eyes of champagne) appeared. Back then Shurov wanted to make a cover version of “Hodynnyk” (Clock), but Victor Pavlik called him and said that this song was given to him by Andriy, so he will sing it. And Later, leader of “Pianoboy” got a call from Tonya Noyabryova, who passed the request of Andriy’s wife to sing “Shampanski ochi”. This way song of Kuzma, which most of us hadn’t known before, became famous throughout the country.
Oksana Yurynets, a political figure, admitted that she often refers to Andriy’s words in her own ones because there you can find depth to any topics. The reason why Kuzma was so open, talented and had a love for people, according to Yurinets, is quite simple: it’s enough to know his parents.
Artist and winner of “Eurovision” Ruslana Lyzhychko, also said happy birthday to the singer. She noted that when such people as Kuzma pass away, they always remain between us on the earth.
Andriy’s fan and the participant of the “Vorobushek” team, which took part in the TV show “League of Laughter”, Alexandr Serdyuk, said that for the first time in many years he doesn’t to do flash-mobs in Kharkiv, although it’s anniversary. The reason is a small number of visitors at such concerts. All funds are spent to cover the expenses. However, Serdyuk added that throughout Ukraine and today there are plenty of concerts in memory of Kuzma. The author of the post thanked Kuzma for everything and advised his readers to listen to his songs today, to watch interviews with a musician and laugh at his jokes. Because Andriy was a friend of the whole country.
To remembrance of Kuzma as well MPs have joined. The leader of the Radical Party Oleg Lyashko stressed that Kuzma was one of those who had conquered the ocean of human hearts. Yes, he passed away too early, but he was able to convey a profound philosophy of life and wisdom in his songs. Kuzma is 50. And he is as young as at his “old photographs” (name of the song written by Kuzma).
Deputy Chairman of the Luhansk Regional State Administration Serhiy Fil stressed that humanity was the main feature that Kuzma managed to have inside of him. After all, the Singer was an example of a joint struggle of creativity, volunteering, and patriotism against the invader.
And on the eve of Kuzma’s birthday, “Ukrposhta” announced the new post stamps with his image. Since today, they are available in specialized departments of the company.
Reaction were collected by Stepan the Goat
