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Dermot Kennedy

Outnumbered

Ukrainian Woman Living In Offaly Part Of National Choir Releasing Phil Coulter's 'Steal Away'

Monday, 28 August 2023 10:18

The 40-person choir features one woman who lives in Offaly.

A Ukrainian choir are set to release a new version of Phil Coulter's single 'Steal Away', in collaboration with the singer.

The choir is made up of 40 people, including Zhanna Sokolova from Tullamore, who fled Ukraine as a result of the war.

The group was brought together by local development companies across Ireland.

The single has been translated into Ukrainian and was launched at an event in Saint Stephen’s Church, Dublin, this week.

Here, the group performed the new single with Phil Coulter.

The song was originally written 40 years ago and tells the story of a couple who escape from the Troubles and the song links with the current situation facing Ukrainians today.

The song will be available for download on Spotify from the 31st August, and a documentary is due to be released in coming months.

Commenting on his involvement in the initiative, Phil Coulter said:

“When I wrote Steal Away in 1983 the song was in response to the conflict that was happening in Northern Ireland at the time. I couldn’t have imagined that 40 years later it would have a connection to the situation facing Ukrainians today. I have travelled all over the world with my music and have seen how it can cross borders and create friendships as a universal language. It has been an honour to work on the recording of this single. I hope that the initiative has provided a source of unity and has given the choir some semblance of hope for a brighter future.” 

Speaking about the launch of Steal Away, Louise Larkin, Social Inclusion Team Leader at Offaly Local Development Company, said:

“This project has been really meaningful for Zhanna. Music and performance have been a massive part of her life in Ukraine, so to get the opportunity to perform again has had such an impact. The endeavours of this talented group just highlight their levels of resilience and courage. For Zhanna, it has included lots of early starts, train journeys and navigation of new areas, but the result is definitely worth it. Here in Offaly Local Development Company, we have no doubt that we’ll be hearing much more from these talented people and we wish them the very best of luck.” 

Also commenting on the single launch, Carol Baumann, CEO at the Irish Local Development Network said:

“We are delighted to have been able to co-ordinate this initiative in conjunction with Offaly Local Development Company and local development companies across Ireland. The role of our 49 local development companies (LDCs) is to create vibrant and inclusive communities where people feel supported and welcome. Music is a universal language and has been a great way for the participants make meaningful connections and express themselves through song. The single ‘Steal Away’ is just one positive outcome from this initiative, the most important outcome is the impact on the community in Offaly. Some of our national choir members have started their own choirs locally providing an opportunity for further integration. Along with initiatives like the Ukrainian National Choir, local development companies assist communities and disadvantaged individuals and groups with personal development and well-being; education and training; employment services; family supports and urban and rural development. Our LDCs are doing remarkable work in Offaly and across the country, and we hope to continue to help build inclusive communities where all members are valued and supported.”

The choir project was set up by Terry Hyland, CEO of Cavan County Local Development, Adeline O’Brien CEO of Empower, Fingal’s local development company and Michelle Mullally Programme, Impact and Communications Officer of ILDN.

The choir director, Yulia Boyko, is originally from Ukraine and has been living in Co. Cavan for the last twenty years.

Yulia now runs her own music school and was responsible for translating ‘Steal Away’ into Ukrainian.

Ms. Boyko, Phil Coulter and the choir have worked together since April.

Further information about the ‘Steal Away’ initiative is available online.

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