Ruslana Lyzhychko is deservedly called the song energy of Ukraine. Her amazing songs gave a chance for new Ukrainian music to enter the world level.
Wild, resolute, courageous and sincere - this is exactly how Ruslana Lyzhychko is known in Ukraine and in many other countries. A wide audience loves her thanks to her unique creativity, in which she conveys to her listeners a special message, inimitable and charismatic.
Childhood and family of the singer
Popular singer, dancer, producer and songwriter Ruslana Lyzhychko was born on May 24, 1973 in Lvov. The parents of the future singer were far from music by the nature of their activities - they worked at the petrochemical institute in engineering positions.
Although after their daughter received well-deserved fame, her parents changed their activities. The singer's mother became the chief media manager of her daughter's production center, and her father founded his own business.
From early childhood, the girl was instilled with a love for music, especially for the national song. Little Ruslana attended creative circles "Horizon" and "Orion" from the age of 4, and also successfully sang in the ensemble of children's creativity "Smile".
Ruslana graduated from a comprehensive school, after which she entered the Music Conservatory. Lysenko native city. In 1995, she received a conservatory diploma, where her specialty "Pianist" and "Conductor of a symphony orchestra" were noted.
Ruslana's first laurels
Even while studying at the conservatory, Ruslana actively participated in many Ukrainian music competitions and festivals, in particular in the All-Ukrainian festival "Chervona Ruta", as well as in the famous festival of popular music "Taras Bulba".
A huge success in Ruslana's career was participation and victory in the international music competitions "Slavianski Bazaar" and "Melody".
Lyzhychko was one of the first to revive Ukrainian traditions of celebrating Christmas and popularize national carols. Since 1996, she has organized large Christmas tours and performances every year.
Since 1995, Ruslana, together with her husband and producer Alexander Ksenofontov, has been working on creating her own individual image and style.
In addition, in her songwriting, she began to use the traditional Ukrainian musical instrument - trembita.
Victory in the Eurovision Song Contest
Ruslana is the first Ukrainian performer to win the prestigious Eurovision Song Contest in 2004, which was held in the Turkish city of Istanbul.
Lyzhychko reached the semi-finals with the second result. And in the final, held on May 16, 2004, she successfully won the competition. Lyzhychko performed with a dynamic composition wild dances. All participating countries, except Switzerland, gave the singer the highest scores.
Thanks to the victory in the international festival in 2004, the singer was awarded the title of People's Artist.
Social activities of Ruslana Lyzhychko
Ruslana Lyzhychko has an active life position. She was appointed as the first UN National Goodwill Ambassador.
Ruslana is also the first Ukrainian who deservedly received the honorary award of the brave women of the planet International Women of Courage Award.
This award is presented each year by the US Department of State for courage and commitment to ten women from around the world. Ruslana was personally awarded by the first lady of the country, Michelle Obama.
In addition to the above, Lezhychko is constantly invited to various international conferences and events that are dedicated to the social issues of mankind on all continents.
What else does a talented singer do?
Behind the singer are 8 song albums, more than 40 beautiful video clips and a colossal work as a producer. She was a coach in the popular Voice of the Country competition.
In addition to acting and producing, the young woman voiced some of the characters in the dubbed version of the cartoon "Alice's Birthday", as well as a character in the computer game Grand Theft Auto IV.
The political views of the artist
Ruslana never remained indifferent to the turbulent political events in Ukraine. When the Orange Revolution took place in the country in 2004, she was on the side of Viktor Yushchenko, who at that time was running for President of Ukraine.
Since the spring of 2006, she was elected to the Verkhovna Rada (Our Ukraine bloc), but later political squabbles outraged the young deputy.
She soon gave up her high mandate. According to her confession, in parliament she "simply degraded as a creative person."
Lyzhychko also spoke in support of the protesters at the Euromaidan in Kyiv in 2014. After the Maidan, Ruslana refused numerous offers to replenish the country's new government, remaining, as she put it, "a Maidan volunteer."
A few months later, an active public figure sharply criticized the new Ukrainian government. She has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and for peace talks.
Ruslana's personal life
In 1995, Ruslana Lyzhychko married Alexander Ksenofontov, who from the first months of marriage helped her build a creative and singing career.
Music producer, co-author of the music and lyrics of the singer, Honored Art Worker of Ukraine Ksenofontov has always been a reliable partner and beloved husband of Ruslana. For 25 years of family life, the couple has not yet had children.
