The original Ukrainian composition called Shchedryk is a work by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych. Shchedryk is the name of a folkloric Ukrainian ritual song, "shchedryvka", that accompanies the Ukrainian Christmas rite (derived from the Ukrainian word "shchedry" = generous). At Christmas, children go from house to house, singing Christmas shchedryvkas (carols), in exchange,e they receive sweets. The work Shchedryk was written for the Leontovich choir in 1901 and became known outside of Ukraine after the European tour in 1919 (Czechoslovakia, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany, Poland, Spain) and the American tour in the 1922 year. Then the American composer with Ukrainian roots, Peter Wilhousky wrote the English text of Shchedryk, which we know as Carol of The Bells. Today, more than a thousand variants of Shchedryk are known, and in the initial talks about a swallow that returned home to Ukraine in the spring.
On November 10-17, Art on the MART in Chicago will host an amazing performance — an animated festive projection of the original Ukrainian Shchedryk. The best location for observation is the Chicago Riverwalk pier. Having settled down there, it will be possible to enjoy the show and learn the history of the work, the roots of which go back to ancient pre-Christian Ukraine. And on December 4, Carnegie Hall will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Carol of The Bells.
