Yuriy Rybchynskyi is celebrating his 81st birthday
Today, May 22, People’s Artist and Hero of Ukraine Yuriy Rybchynskyi celebrates his birthday. The renowned poet-songwriter and one of the founders of modern Ukrainian pop music has turned 81.
Yuriy Yevgenyevich Rybchynskyi is one of the founders of modern Ukrainian pop music. Over 150 poems by this outstanding poet, playwright, and screenwriter have been set to music in the most famous Ukrainian pop songs.
Yuriy Rybchynskyi was born on May 22, 1945, in Kyiv’s Podil district. The poet had been interested in creative work since childhood. Even in school, Rybchynskyi began to take an interest in literature and write poetry.
Another of Rybchynsky’s passions was painting, so when he wrote his first poem, it surprised his parents. The men in his family often had artistic talents, yet his father hoped the boy would pursue a career in finance.
Ultimately, Yuriy Rybchynskyi dedicated his life to literature. He graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. During his studies, he focused on poetry; by the age of 18, his works had already been published in a well-known magazine. Over time, the poet’s name became widely recognized, as did his work
Among the composers with whom Rybchynsky collaborated at the height of his career were renowned artists such as Volodymyr Ivasyuk, Ihor Poklad, Pavlo Zibrov, Mykola Mozgovyi, and others.
Songs based on Yuriy Rybchynsky’s poems were written by the most famous composers and singers. In particular, over 150 of Rybchynsky’s poems have been set to Ukrainian songs:
- Volodymyr Ivasyuk (“Maple Fire,” “Spring in My Destiny”),
- Ihor Poklad (“Autumn Song,” “Wild Geese,” “The Enchanted Violin,” “The Water Flows,” “Green Maple”)
- Ihor Shamo (“Three Pieces of Advice”)
- Mykola Mozgovyi (“The Day Is Passing,” “I’m Going to the Mountains Again”)
- Hennadiy Tatarchenko (“Vivat, King…”)
- Pavlo Zibrov (“Khreshchatyk”)
- Natalia Mogilevska (“Loneliness”)
Among the singers who performed Rybchynsky’s songs were dozens of famous stars of Ukrainian pop music. For example, Nina Matvienko, Yaroslav Yevdokimov, Nazariy Yaremchuk, Vasyl Zinkevych, Sofia Rotaru, Natalia Buchynska, Natalia Mohylevska, Mykola Mozgovyi, Ruslana Lyzhychko, Pavlo Zibrov, and others.
Yuriy Rybchynskyi holds the title of Hero of Ukraine. In 2020, the artist was awarded the Order of the State for outstanding personal contributions to the enrichment of Ukrainian culture and art.
In 1995, Yuriy Rybchynskyi was recognized as an Honored Artist of Ukraine. In 2000, the poet received the title of People’s Artist of Ukraine. Among the awards of this distinguished poet are the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise and the Presidential Award “National Legend of Ukraine.”
As a reminder, on May 10, the grand concert “Legends of Ukraine. Golden Hits” took place at the National Palace of Arts “Ukraine.” The Hryhorii Veryovka National Honored Academic Ukrainian Folk Choir performed Yuriy Rybchynskyi’s famous hits on the country’s main stage. An orchestra and a ballet troupe also took part in the show. This event concludes the anniversary year of People’s Artist and poet-songwriter Yuriy Rybchynskyi.
As Yuriy Rybchynskyi told “Glavkom,” he worked and was friends with the co-author of his most famous hits, composer Ihor Poklad, who passed away on July 9, 2025. The poet shared touching memories of his friendship with Ihor Poklad in a comment to “Glavkom.”
According to Yuriy Rybchynskyi, they met in 1966 in Kyiv, at 26 Khreshchatyk Street, where the Radio Committee was located. At the time, Igor Poklad was a student at the conservatory, and Rybchynskyi was a student at Shevchenko University. Their true creative collaboration began when they served in the Internal Troops Ensemble in Podil. After their service, they agreed to work together for at least seven years.
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