Roman Skorpion: “Our Ukraine depends on each of us”

Roman Scorpion

Ukrainian performer  Roman Skorpion wrote a song for the Poles, met with the children of immigrants from Mariupol and told how he changed during the full-scale Russian offensive. All this in an interview for Woman Magazine .

How did you and your personal life values change with the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine?

After February 24, 2022, the lives of each of us have changed: some have more, some have less, something has become different for a certain time, and something has changed forever.  And I changed. The war taught me to appreciate family and friends even more. I  more often I tell each person dear to me about how valuable they are to me. I began to appreciate more what I have, to say that I love and thank you, to hug and kiss, to worry and forgive.

A large flow of news, nerves, stress – every Ukrainian is going through a difficult phase. How do you balance your morale?

 Each of us  worries for Ukraine, for those who defend it, for those who lost their homes, for those who were left alone. But we remember everyone who died at the hands of the Russian occupiers. At such a time, we cannot stop scrolling through the news feed, turn off the TV or the radio, because the aggressor launches a lot of fake news and counts on paralyzing us with fear and false information. Ago,  I always  I prefer official sources of information , because keach of us immerses ourselves as much as possible in the information space in order to be  aware of events. And it is very important to perceive events in such a way as not to harm yourself and others.

Poland is one of the countries that helps Ukrainians a lot. As a sign of gratitude, you are planning to release the track “Kiss” in Polish. What does this creative expression mean to you personally?

  After Russia started a full-scale war, the world came together to help and support Ukraine: weapons, humanitarian cargo, medicine, money, sanctions, etc.  Poland, one of those countries that from the first day of the war, was the first to extend a helping hand, it is fighting together with us for our country.  AND  as a token of gratitude to the Polish people for their support,  I presented to the Poles a special and symbolic song for me “Pocałuję” (Kiss) in Polish. At the beginning of July, we presented it in Poland. The song is already available on official digital platforms and on my official YouTube channel .

Roman Scorpion

You are actively engaged in not only creative activities. You recently met with migrant children from Mariupol, Izyum, Kyiv and Bakhmut. What did you feel at that moment?

I have been involved in charity since the beginning of my work – it is the style of my life. Every time I meet with children who need support,  I try to help each child as much as I can.

As for migrant children, it is difficult. Every time I meet with them,  I see fear and anxiety in their little eyes, and it hurts a lot. They  saw the experiences of adults , and the emotional state of the parents greatly affects the child. Ago  at the meeting withI try to entertain them, bring treats or toys, I try to talk to them about their dreams, and every dream  is closely related to the future of Ukraine.

Regarding volunteering. Now you can see that people have become less active. How do you help and what do you advise those who want to help but do not have the financial ability to do?

You know, in a situation like war, I want to say only one thing. It is necessary to do as our conscience tells us, in trouble – you cannot build high castles and you will not be satisfied. Whoever wants to help, helps.

This war is forever rallied Ukrainians of different age, profession, education, nationality, outlook, lifestyle. Everyone in his place – be it a military man, a volunteer, a utility worker, a railway worker, a programmer, etc. – does everything in his power to win.  We participate in charity concerts at which, we collect funds  by car,  vests, helmets  for our military.

So, at the beginning of July, he went to the Kharkiv region with a charity concert.  Met with guys from the Armed Forces, hugged.

Roman Scorpion

Many of your colleagues joined the ranks of territorial defense and the Armed Forces. Do you keep in touch with any of them? Maybe someone asked for help?

Yes of course. We are together with  team and volunteers, public organizations support not only colleagues, but also everyone,  who entered the  the ranks of territorial defense and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, after all, they are defend our native land.

Roman Scorpion

How do you feel about those men who went abroad during the war?

It is difficult to answer such a question. I cannot condemn their actions. They are guided by their own emotions, and perhaps family circumstances.  

Now many people praise Russian stars (Galkin or Panin) that they are well done and spoke out against Russia and Putin. What do you think about it?

Ukraine conquers the hearts of millions of people abroad. Even world-famous stars admire our courage, indomitability and desire for freedom. Many support Ukraine with a yellow-blue bow. Angelina Jolie, Sean Penn, Nino Katamadze, and many other famous representatives of world show business come to our country to help and support. As for Galkin and others who decided to be against Russia – their position is known to all of us, it is nice to believe that there are people who can think consciously.

What do you think our country will be like in 10 years?

Our Ukraine depends on us, on each of us. Everything depends on how much good we wish to all the citizens of our Motherland and how much effort we are ready to put in to make the national good a reality.  Assured, our country will be independent, democratic and integrated with Crimea, Donbas, Kherson and Mykolaiv. Everything will be Ukraine – strong, free and independent! 

Photo: personal archive of the artist