Yuriy Rybchynskyi

Yuriy Yevhenovych Rybchynskyi (; born 22 May 1945) is a Ukrainian poet, songwriter and playwright who is a recipient of both the title Hero of Ukraine and People's Artist of Ukraine. He was among the pioneers of contemporary Ukrainian pop music. Between 1998 and 2000, Rybchynskyi served as a cultural advisor to the President of Ukraine.

Early life and education Born on 22 May 1945, in the neighbourhood of Podil in Kyiv, Rybchynskyi attended an art school and enjoyed drawing as a youngster. In addition, he participated in athletics, leaping with a pole for eleven years starting from 1958. In the 1960s, Rybchynskyi began to take a serious interest in poetry. During the Khrushchev Thaw, all forms of art, including literature, were actively developing and society was experiencing a spiritual uplift. Unexpectedly, after the eighth grade, he began to write poems. Ihor Poklad, Mykola Mozghovyi and Ihor Shamo are just a few notable personalities who collaborated with him to produce several hits in Ukrainian and Soviet pop music. Rubchynskyi's songs were performed at various times by Nina Matviienko, Nazariy Yaremchuk, Vasyl Zinkevych, Taisia Povaliy, Sofia Rotaru, Natalia Mohylevska, Ruslana Lyzhychko, Pavlo Zibrov, Tamara Gverdtsiteli, and several other well-known vocalists.

Playwriting Rybchynskyi started writing plays in the middle of the 1970s. He and composer Vadym Ilin created musicals including Tovarysh Liubov (Comrade Liubov), Piznya Serenada (Late Serenade), Brekhukha (Liar), and Tvir Na Temu Kokhannia (An Essay On Love). Along with composer Mark Minkov, Rybchynskyi co-wrote the musical Bila Hvardiia (The White Guard, 1989), which was based on a novel by Mikhail Bulgakov. In 2005, he and composer Ihor Demarin co-wrote the rock opera The Perfumer, which was based on a novel by Patrick Süskind.

Awards and recognitions

Rybchynskyi was presented with the title Hero of Ukraine award by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 22 August 2020.

Honored Art Worker of Ukraine (29 June 1995) Laureate of the All-Union Competitions' Best Song of the Year (1972, 1974, 1976, 1978–80, 1983, 1987–89) Honorary Citizen of Kyiv (May 2009) Honorary Citizen of Orléans