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Ukrainian singer Nataliya Valevska has presented an English-language version of her new song “Ukraine,” just a few days after the premiere of the Ukrainian-language version.
The artist dedicated the song to the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people and hopes to use music to tell an international audience about Ukraine.
The Ukrainian-language version of “Ukraine” was released on the eve of Ukraine’s Independence Day. The lyrics and music were written by German composer Thomas Alten, who lived in Zaporizhzhia for 15 years and, according to Valevska, came to love the country with all his heart during that time.
For the singer, the song has become both a personal confession and a kind of vow to Ukraine. It tells the story of a country going through immense trials, pain, and loss, yet continuing to fight and rise again after every blow.
Valevska calls the key phrase of the song “We Rise Again.”
“The main message is very simple, but incredibly important to me: no matter how many times we fall, no matter how much suffering and sorrow we go through — we rise again. Always. And we will keep rising as long as the hearts of the people of this land continue to beat,” the artist said about the song.
The song has now been given an English-language rendition. Valevska explains that she wants to bring the story of Ukrainian resilience to listeners beyond Ukraine.
“I really want the world to hear not only the news about the war, but also the inner strength of Ukrainians — through music. I want people to feel who we truly are: a nation that knows how to rise again and again,” the singer emphasized.
According to Valevska, her own understanding of the word “Ukraine” has also changed over the years of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. Before the war, it was primarily associated with home, family, beauty, and tenderness. Today, these meanings have been joined by strength, resilience, and inner steel.
“Before the war, the word ‘Ukraine’ meant home, family, beauty, tenderness, and cheerful, talented people to me. Now there is steel in it. It has become deeper, heavier, and at the same time brighter, because we have truth on our side,” the artist said.
The English-language version also carries special significance because of the story of its author. Thomas Alten is a German national who lived in Ukraine for many years, including 15 years in Zaporizhzhia. According to Valevska, this experience allowed him not merely to observe Ukraine from the outside, but to deeply understand its people and culture.
The visual continuation of the song is its music video, in which Valevska appears wearing authentic Borshchiv embroidered shirts that are more than 100 years old.
For the filming, the artist and her team traveled to the Ternopil region to meet collector Vira Matkovska, where they found unique antique Ukrainian embroidered shirts.
The look was completed with traditional Ukrainian jewelry known as dukachi. In this way, the team sought to highlight not only Ukraine’s contemporary history but also its deep cultural roots.
Patriotic themes hold an important place in Nataliya Valevska’s artistic work. Previously, the singer released the songs “Peace Over Ukraine,” “I Love Ukraine,” and “I Am Ukrainian.”
The artist’s support for Ukraine also extends beyond music. Valevska takes part in charitable initiatives and efforts to support Ukrainian service members. Together with concerned Ukrainians, she says they have managed to raise and provide more than UAH 20 million in assistance to Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
Valevska’s greatest dream for Ukraine’s future is a peaceful life in which children will no longer have to hide from air-raid sirens and Ukrainians will simply be able to live in a free and peaceful country.
“After victory, I dream of a Ukraine where the golden fields will once again simply be golden fields. Where children grow up without air-raid sirens. Where the roots of our strength give rise to new shoots, and where our spirit can finally simply live — freely, brightly, and in peace,” Nataliya Valevska concluded.
