Dzhamala means to be different and genuine

Our guest is the singer Dzhamala. She cultivates genuineness. You can see this not only in her music but also (and especially) when you speak to her (there is a ready-made headline or aphorism in almost every passage), where dialogue is “mixed” with her fantastic singing. (It would be obviously a good idea to post video footage on The Day’s website.)

As a matter of fact, our interview began with an exalted matter – the vision and feeling of this country in the context of Dzhamala’s first concert tour she made last year.

“I am grateful to my profession for allowing me to see other countries and, first of all, my native one, in various regions, halls, and situations,” the New Wave 2009 winner began. “For example, organizers once said tickets were selling poorly in Sevastopol: they don’t want to come because I am a Crimean Tatar. But, in reality, it was one of the warmest receptions. Genuine music changes people. I could see the audience undergoing metamorphosis within two hours. I drew a full fouse in Sevastopol! Besides, my music school teachers and even those who had taught me in various hobby groups also came over. Or take Lviv. I did not expect such a show of favor. They organized several radio and television shows and performances at an orphanage and a hospital’s children’s ward. A descendant of Daniel of Galicia handed me an award. By contrast, there was a different mood in Dnipropetrovsk: well, show us what you can do… But still the concert was a treat. You know, I would not like to divide Ukraine at all. I wish we felt Ukrainian everywhere. For instance, when you come to Istanbul, you can see a Turkish flag hanging out of every window. There’s a flag on every automobile. And, in general, they think what is Turkish is the best. But we are not proud of our own. We are not knitted together, not united. We are still to learn this.”

“My father is a fanatic of his people,” the singer goes on. “Not that he imposed the Crimean Tatar culture and music on me, but it was just on the verge of this. Dad knew why he was doing so. For a man without roots is like a tree without ground. Everybody must know who he or she is. I am a Ukrainian of Crimean Tatar origin, although mother is half-Armenian, father is a Crimean Tatar, and grandmother – mum’s mother – is half-Russian, half-Ukrainian. Faith tolerance has often been a point of discussion in our family. You mentioned that some Crimean Tatars attended the funeral service for General Hryhorenko in an Orthodox temple. A breathtaking view! Events like this soothe, bring love, and inspire hope.”

See an extensive interview with Dzhamala in one of The Day’s next issues.