Raisa Kirichenko is a famous singer, Honored Artist of the Ukrainian USSR. She was born on October 14, 1943 in a rural area in the Poltava region in a family of ordinary peasants.
The early years and youth of Raisa Kirichenko
According to the singer's recollections, the family was friendly - dad and mom sang and danced together, and it was on their example that the girl learned to sing and, as she herself says, goodness.
However, her childhood fell on the post-war period, when no one had a childhood, and, despite the warm family atmosphere, life was difficult.
From an early age she had to work. Kirichenko combined her studies at school with the fact that she grazed a neighbor's cow, in addition, she managed the household, grew a garden.
After graduating from school, the future singer got a job on a collective farm, and later as a controller at an automobile plant. Raisa's only joy was concerts.
At first she sang to the accordion of her father, which he brought from the war, then participated in school amateur performances. Gradually, she became known in all the surroundings, and the girl gave concerts in neighboring villages. She believed that she would become a singer, this dream led her from childhood.
Success and musical career of the artist
And in 1962, fortune smiled at the future star. The choir of the Kremenchug Automobile Plant performed in the village, and its leader drew attention to a talented girl.
As soon as he heard her singing, he, without hesitation, invited her to become part of the musical group. There she met Nikolai Kirichenko, her future husband, and this meeting became fateful for both.
Together they went to the Lenok folk choir in Zhytomyr, they were personally called by the leader Anatoly Pashkevich. Then they moved to the Cherkasy Folk Choir, where Kirichenko became the main soloist. At the Philharmonic, especially for her, first the vocal and instrumental ensemble "Kalina", then "Rosava" were created.
Together with the choir, Kirichenko toured Ukraine, then visited Asia, Europe and even the United States of America and Canada. Despite the height of the Cold War, the artist managed to win the hearts of Americans.
She performed in Ukrainian, but the heart-rending songs about the Motherland were still understandable to everyone. She was even made an honorary citizen of the city of Baltimore.
Kirichenko did not want to stop, and in 1980 she entered the Kharkov Institute of Arts, where she learned to understand the essence of choral singing and feel the harmony of sounds.
She was ready to study day and night, to work, and her diligence brought fame, success and awards. In 1973, Raisa became an honored artist, in 1979 - a people's artist.
She still worked with her husband Nikolai, together they prepared programs, recorded them with an orchestra, and created several programs at television studios. A film was even released about the life and work of the singer.
In the Cherkassy team, the artist became crowded, in addition, there were controversial issues with the leadership, and when in 1987 she received an invitation to return to Poltava, she immediately agreed to it. In the region, she created the group "Churaevna" and toured with her around the Poltava region. The repertoire was dominated by pop hits.
Raisa received her diploma from the Institute in 1989. In 1994, she began her teaching career at the Poltava Music College. Students loved her not only for her great talent and knowledge, but also for her strength of mind and kind heart.
Social activities of the singer
When Ukraine separated from the USSR, Kirichenko began to advocate for national spirituality, emphasizing the importance of Ukrainian speech. She recorded a number of programs for television, and they were a resounding success among Ukrainians.
In 1999, Kirichenko received the Order of Princess Olga for her talent and civic opinion. Also, the President of Ukraine awarded her for her role in Ukrainian culture and creative activity, awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.
The singer did not forget about her homeland either. In 2002, thanks to her help, a church was built in her native village, a kindergarten was opened, the school building and the village club were restored. Raisa Kirichenko noted that she was more proud of this than of all the awards received.
Creative activity of the artist
1962-1968 - soloist of the Poltava, Zhytomyr, Kherson philharmonics.
1968-1983 Soloist of the Cherkasy Folk Choir.
1983-1985 Soloist of the Cherkasy Philharmonic.
Since 1987 she has been a soloist of the Poltava Philharmonic.
Since 1987 she has been working with her own group "Churaevna".
Raisa Kirichenko's illness
The creative path of the artist was interrupted by illness. The first problems began in the 1990s, shortly after returning from a tour in Canada.
She underwent a long course of treatment in Europe, and a kidney was transplanted to her at home. Health quickly improved, and the artist continued to perform with concerts. However, by the early 2000s, the disease returned with renewed vigor.
Ukrainians prayed for her recovery - they held charity concerts, made donations, but the disease dragged on and her health did not improve. However, despite the pain, Kirichenko recorded several new songs, gave interviews and a solo concert.
On February 9, 2005, at the age of 62, a talented artist and a person with a capital letter passed away.
Raisa Kirichenko was buried in the Poltava region, and even though more than 10 years have passed, her name is not forgotten and dearly loved by all Ukrainians.
