The director of the Veriovka Choir explained why he switched the performers to a four-day workweek
The Grigory Veryovka National Honored Academic Ukrainian Folk Choir has seen a significant reduction in government funding and has switched to a four-day workweek.
Due to a lack of budget funds, the legendary ensemble faces a crisis of unpaid wages every month.
The choir’s director, Ihor Kuryliv, stated that this step was a necessary measure for the institution’s survival.
According to the director, the financial situation remains critical and requires a constant search for alternative sources of income.
“That’s why I switched the group to a four-day workweek. I am short 1.94 million hryvnias per month just for salaries. And for the year, I am 22.3 million hryvnias short of the budget. So I have to run around like a squirrel in a wheel. There is a lack of state funding,” stated Ihor Kuryliv.
Due to the new schedule, the artists lose part of their income every month, as they are forced to take unpaid time off.
The choir director categorically rejected the widespread belief that members of the country’s leading ensemble have excessively high salaries. Currently, the monthly income of a top-tier artist is approximately 35,000 hryvnias.
According to Kuryliv, given Ukraine’s current economic realities, this amount is too low for specialists of such a high professional caliber.
“A top-tier artist earns 35,000 hryvnias. Once in the Verkhovna Rada, they said these were high salaries. Good people, what high salaries? Artists have gathered here from all over Ukraine; we’ve selected the best voices—try finding others like them. They pay for rent, transportation, and support their families. 35,000 hryvnias is pocket change,” emphasized the troupe’s director.
The management of the institution confirmed that the main reason for the budget cuts is the full-scale war. The state’s priorities have shifted in favor of the defense sector, which has dealt a painful blow to cultural funding.
“Yes, people are suffering because of this, since they are underpaid by four days’ worth of pay each month,” summarized Ihor Kuryliv.
The choir director, Ihor Kuryliv, spoke about this in an interview with “Glavkom.”
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