Ruslana#cite note-68
{{Short description|Ukrainian singer (born 1973)}}
{{Other people|Ruslana|Ruslana (name)}}
{{family name hatnote|Stepanivna|Lyzhychko|lang=Eastern Slavic}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ruslana
| native_name = Руслана
| native_name_lang = uk
| image = Ruslana in Cologne, Germany 05.JPG
| caption = Ruslana in 2015
| image_size = 280
| birth_name = Ruslana Stepanivna Lyzhychko
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|05|24|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Lviv, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
| occupation = {{Flatlist|
- Singer
- lyricist
- dancer
- producer
- composer
- politician
- activist
}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Oleksandr Ksenofontov|1995}}
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| instruments = {{Flatlist|
- Vocals
- piano
- guitar
- drums
- trembita
- tambourine
}}
| genre = {{Flatlist|
- Pop
- pop-folk
- pop rock
- ethnopopUmka.com [http://www.umka.com.ua/eng/catalogue/ethno-pop/ruslana-dyki-tanci-wild-dances.html Ruslana. Dyki Tanci. (Wild dances)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201104724/http://www.umka.com.ua/eng/catalogue/ethno-pop/ruslana-dyki-tanci-wild-dances.html |date=1 December 2008}}[http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=4237 Ruslana (2004) new album ‘Wild energy'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313091305/http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=4237 |date=13 March 2009}}
}}
| years_active = 1996–present
| label = {{Flatlist|
}}
| website = {{URL|www.ruslana.ua}}
}}
| module2 = {{infobox officeholder | embed=yes
| office1 = People's Deputy of Ukraine
| convocation1 = 5th convocation
| constituency1 = Our Ukraine Party, No.5{{cite web|title=People's Deputy of Ukraine of the V convocation|url=http://itd.rada.gov.ua/mps/info/expage/8811/6|website=Official portal|publisher=Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine|access-date=28 July 2015|language=uk|archive-date=9 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809190446/http://itd.rada.gov.ua/mps/info/expage/8811/6|url-status=live}}
| term_start1 = 25 May 2006
| term_end1 = 23 November 2007
}}
}}
Ruslana Stepanivna Lyzhychko ({{langx|uk|Руслана Степанівна Лижичко}}, {{IPA|uk|rʊsˈlɑnɐ steˈpɑn⁽ʲ⁾iu̯nɐ lɪˈʒɪtʃko|IPA}}; born 24 May 1973),[http://www.ruslana.ua/bio.php Руслана – Биография] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505082024/http://www.ruslana.ua/bio.php |date=5 May 2008}} known mononymously as Ruslana, is a Ukrainian singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, activist, and former politician. She is a World Music Award and Eurovision Song Contest winning recording artist,eurovision.tv. [http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=8 Results of the Eurovision Song Contest 2004] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231085605/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=8 |date=31 December 2010}} holding the title of People's Artist of Ukraine.{{cite web|url=http://www.wumag.kiev.ua/index2.php?param=pgs20042/107|title=Ukrainian singer wins the Eurovision Song Contest|date=3 June 2004|publisher=Welcome to Ukraine|access-date=27 January 2010|archive-date=31 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831035527/http://www.wumag.kiev.ua/index2.php?param=pgs20042/107|url-status=live}} She is also a former MP serving as deputy in the Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada) for the Our Ukraine Party.{{cite web|url=http://en.for-ua.com/news/2006/03/29/114013.html|title=Ruslana is ready to take her seat in the Parliament|date=29 March 2006|publisher=for-ua.com|access-date=27 January 2010|archive-date=2 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232448/http://en.for-ua.com/news/2006/03/29/114013.html|url-status=live}} Ruslana was the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in Ukraine in 2004–2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.osce.org/cthb/46605|title=Ukrainian Eurovision winner Ruslana to back OSCE anti-trafficking campaign|date=14 June 2013|publisher=OSCE|access-date=14 June 2013|archive-date=30 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030053504/https://www.osce.org/cthb/46605|url-status=live}} She is recognized as the most successful Ukrainian female solo artist internationally{{cite web|url=http://www.ukrweekly.com/old/archive/2004/420429.shtml|title=Ruslana among winners at World Music Awards in Las Vegas|date=14 December 2004|publisher=UkrWeekly|access-date=14 December 2004|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002037/http://www.ukrweekly.com/old/archive/2004/420429.shtml|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=166018|title=Welcome the Ukrainian Madonna|date=14 November 2008|publisher=NowToronto|access-date=19 August 2014|archive-date=19 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819124048/http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=166018|url-status=live}} and was included in the top 10 most influential women of 2013 by the Forbes magazine.{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.ru/forbes-woman-photogallery/zhenshchiny-v-biznese/249077-zhenshchiny-goda-2013-reiting-forbes-woman/photo/5|title=Forbes: Most successful women of 2013|date=1 January 2014|work=Forbes|access-date=1 January 2014|archive-date=30 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030053452/https://www.forbes.ru/forbes-woman-photogallery/zhenshchiny-v-biznese/249077-zhenshchiny-goda-2013-reiting-forbes-woman/photo/5|url-status=live}} The U.S. Secretary of State honored her with the International Women of Courage Award in March 2014.{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/ruslana-woman-courage-international-pop-star-former-ukraine-144500462.html|title=Ruslana — Woman of Courage, International Pop Star, Former Ukraine Parliament Member and EuroMaidan Protest Leader — to Discuss Current Crisis at National Press Club|publisher=Yahoo News|access-date=3 March 2014|archive-date=8 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108110822/http://news.yahoo.com/ruslana-woman-courage-international-pop-star-former-ukraine-144500462.html|url-status=live}} She has been named an honorary citizen of her hometown Lviv{{cite web|url=http://kp.ua/culture/451043-vo-lvove-pevytsa-ruslana-stala-pochetnym-hrazhdanynom-horoda|title=Lviv singer Ruslana became an honorary citizen of the city|publisher=kp.ua|access-date=3 May 2014|archive-date=3 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503192719/http://kp.ua/culture/451043-vo-lvove-pevytsa-ruslana-stala-pochetnym-hrazhdanynom-horoda|url-status=live}} and was nominated to receive the title Hero of Ukraine.{{cite web|url=http://zik.ua/ru/news/2014/04/01/na_lvovshchyne_deputati_hotyat_chtobi_ruslana_lizhychko_stala_geroem_ukrayni_475571|title=Lviv MP wants to name Ruslana Hero of Ukraine|publisher=zik.ua|access-date=1 April 2014|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230854/http://zik.ua/ru/news/2014/04/01/na_lvovshchyne_deputati_hotyat_chtobi_ruslana_lizhychko_stala_geroem_ukrayni_475571|url-status=live}}
Ruslana writes, composes and produces her own songs and music videos. Since 28 December 1995 she has been married to Oleksandr Ksenofontov, a Ukrainian record producer.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/2803/ruslanas_husband_speaks_out/|title=Ruslana's husband speaks out|date=24 May 2004|publisher=Esctoday.com|access-date=16 June 2013|archive-date=4 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204045748/http://www.esctoday.com/2803/ruslanas_husband_speaks_out/|url-status=live}} Together they have run the company Luxen Studio since 1993, producing radio and film trailers.
Ruslana was the first artist from the former Soviet Union to officially receive a platinum disc, her Dyki tantsi album selling more than 170,000 copies in the first 100 days after its release.{{cite web|url=http://compmusic.kiev.ua/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=74&Itemid=11&lang=en |title=Ruslana "Dyki Tantsi" 2003 |date=3 October 2003 |publisher=for-ua.com |access-date=27 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202230640/http://compmusic.kiev.ua/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=74&Itemid=11&lang=en |archive-date=2 December 2013}} This album is the best selling Ukrainian album to date, together with its English version, more than 500,000 copies being sold solely in Ukraine.{{cite web|url=http://www.prlog.org/10875041-ruslana-international-pop-stareurovision-winner-returns-to-usa-with-concert.html|title=Ruslana, International pop star, Eurovision winner returns to USA with concert|date=20 August 2010|publisher=prlog.org|access-date=22 June 2013|archive-date=4 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204012534/https://www.prlog.org/10875041-ruslana-international-pop-stareurovision-winner-returns-to-usa-with-concert.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://files.korrespondent.net/projects/top100/2005/1063|title=60th Most Influential Person in Ukraine in 2005|date=10 January 2006|publisher=Korrespondent|access-date=10 January 2006|archive-date=3 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403173927/http://files.korrespondent.net/projects/top100/2005/1063|url-status=dead}}
She won the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Wild Dances" receiving 280 points, which at that time was a record of points.{{cite web|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/ukraines-ruslana-wins-eurovision-song-contest/231001.html|title=Ukraine's Ruslana wins Eurovision Song Contest|date=17 May 2004|work=The Moscow Times|access-date=17 May 2004|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203003547/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/ukraines-ruslana-wins-eurovision-song-contest/231001.html|url-status=live}} Following her victory, she rose to fame in Europe and became one of the biggest pop stars from the Eastern part of the continent. Her winning song "Wild Dances" dominated the European charts for 97 weeks peaking at number one in Belgium for 10 consecutive weeks.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/2970/ruslana_my_first_victory_after_eurovision/|title=Ruslana: My first victory after Eurovision...|date=14 July 2004|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=14 July 2004|archive-date=8 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608214328/http://esctoday.com/2970/ruslana_my_first_victory_after_eurovision/|url-status=live}} Her Eurovision winning song was included on the official compilation album called The Very Best of Eurovision celebrating the 60th anniversary of the contest.{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/shop/product/category/Music/11241/Very-Best-of-Eurovision-Song-Contest-A-60th-Anniversary-CD-Digital-Download-PPSB#overview|title=Very Best of Eurovision Song Contest — A 60th Anniversary (CD / Digital Download Available NOW)|date=1 May 2015|publisher=SBS.au|access-date=1 May 2015|archive-date=4 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704043629/http://www.sbs.com.au/shop/product/category/Music/11241/Very-Best-of-Eurovision-Song-Contest-A-60th-Anniversary-CD-Digital-Download-PPSB#overview|url-status=live}}
Her repertoire includes songs performed mainly in Ukrainian and English, but she also recorded cover versions in Spanish and Latin languages.
Early life
Ruslana was born on 24 May 1973 in Lviv, Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union. Her father, Stepan Lyzhychko, is a Hutsul Ukrainian, and her mother, Nina Sapegina, is a Russian of Polish-Lithuanian origin.{{Citation|title=РУСЛАНА: зірвана вагітність, заява на розлучення, сором через політичну карʼєру, заробітки, чоловік|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPWCghyrdQw|date=2024-12-16|accessdate=2024-12-26|last=Слава Дьомін}}{{cite web|url=http://gazeta.ua/ru/post/137468|title=Руслана Лыжичко пошла в бабушку|date=2 November 2006 |publisher=Gazeta.ua|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914073159/http://gazeta.ua/ru/post/137468|url-status=live|archive-date=14 September 2011}}
Encouraged by her mother, Ruslana studied from the age of four at an experimental musical school and sang in different bands, including in the vocal-instrumental band Horizon, the band Orion and the children's ensemble Usmishka (Smile). With Usmishka, Ruslana performed at a large concert in the Druzhba Stadium in 1989. One of the headlining acts of that concert was Vasyl Zinkevych, People's Artist of the Ukrainian SSR, who noticed her talent. At the end of the concert, Zinkevych asked her to come on stage and declared in front of an audience of 15,000 spectators: "Remember this young singer, your compatriot. You will see: she will definitely become a real star."{{cite web |last1=Mishchenko |first1=Maksym |title=Василь Зінкевич: "Я гордий, що у мене така творча донька" – "Високий замок", 19 травня |url=https://portal.lviv.ua/uncategorized/2004/05/20/133002 |website=Lviv Portal |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=uk |date=20 May 2004 |archive-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116113324/https://portal.lviv.ua/uncategorized/2004/05/20/133002 |url-status=live}} Ruslana's parents divorced in 1991.{{Citation|title=РУСЛАНА: зірвана вагітність, заява на розлучення, сором через політичну карʼєру, заробітки, чоловік|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPWCghyrdQw|date=2024-12-16|accessdate=2024-12-26|last=Слава Дьомін}} After finishing secondary school, Ruslana entered the Lviv Conservatory where she graduated as a classical pianist and symphonic orchestra conductor in 1995.{{cite web|url=http://www.ruslana.ua/en/bio.php|title=Biography on Ruslana's official website|access-date=16 December 2012|archive-date=27 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527193229/http://www.ruslana.ua/en/bio.php|url-status=dead}}
Musical career
=Early career=
Ruslana started her career as the winner of the Slavianski Bazaar song competition in Vitebsk, Belarus in 1996 with the song Oj, letili dyki husi. In the same year, she was among the nominees for the Ukrainian Singer of the Year award and the video for Dzvinkyi Viter (Wind Bells) was awarded Music Video of the Year. Since her early career, Ruslana's producer was Oleksandr Ksenofontov, whom she married in 1995.{{cite web|url=http://ukrfoto.net/people_12.html|title=Знаменитості України Лижичко Руслана Степанівна|website=ukrfoto.net|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=20 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120071139/http://ukrfoto.net/people_12.html|url-status=dead}}
In 1997, Ruslana began working on Christmas with Ruslana – the first L'viv Christmas television project of an All-Ukrainian scale including the video clip Ballad of a Princess which was the first animated music video made by a Ukrainian singer.
Her first album Myt Vesny – Dzvinkyi Viter (A Moment of Spring – Wind Bells), released in 1998, received high praise from the critics.
Still, wider recognition did not come until 1998 with the song Svitanok (Sunrise) and the album Myt' Vesny – Dzvinkyj Viter Live. Svitanok was the first Ukrainian big-budget music video. In 1998, Ruslana was awarded Person of the Year, the song Svitanok was awarded Song of the Year and its accompanying music video was awarded Music Video of the Year. In the second half of 1998, she organized a charity tour which had the aim of raising funds for the restoration of the old castles from Western Ukraine. The tour was a success and thanks to Ruslana's efforts, the Zolochiv Castle was restored.{{Cite web |url=http://www.day.kiev.ua/en/article/culture/who-will-save-ukrainian-castles |title=Who will Save Ukrainian Castles? |access-date=26 January 2014 |archive-date=2 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202221532/http://www.day.kiev.ua/en/article/culture/who-will-save-ukrainian-castles |url-status=live}}
In 1999, she worked on the Christmas musical Ostanne rizdvo 90th (The Last Christmas of the 90s), which won the Ukrainian Movie of the Year award. With the video clip to the song Znaju ya (I Know), which is about the ancient people of the Hutsuls living in the Ukrainian Carpathians, Ruslana set new standards for modern video clip filming.
=Education=
File:Ruslana conducting the orchestra.jpg
In 1995, Ruslana graduated from the Lviv Conservatory as professional conductor and classical pianist. She was the student of one of the most prominent Ukrainian composers and conductors, Mykola Kolessa who is regarded as 'the father of the Ukrainian conducting school'. She used to be a part of the student choir of the Lviv Music Academy.{{cn|date=June 2025}}
=2004: Wild Dances Project and Eurovision victory=
File:Ruslana Eurovision 2005 final.jpg" at the opening of the Eurovision Song Contest 2005.]]
==Wild Dances Project==
Ruslana's father is from the West-Ukrainian area of the Hutsuls, the dwellers of the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains. They have a unique culture with an ancient and rich history that inspired Ruslana to create her concept album Wild Dances. It combines powerful and permeating ethnic drums, trumpet sounds of the trembita, an ancient Hutsul music instrument, with modern dance beats. The album was composed by Ruslana after an expedition to the Carpathian Mountains in spring 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.wumag.kiev.ua/index2.php?param=pgs20043/4|title=Ruslana – the first Ukrainian pop singer to win a major European pop song contest|date=3 June 2004|publisher=Welcome to Ukraine|access-date=27 January 2010|archive-date=29 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129203126/http://wumag.kiev.ua/index2.php?param=pgs20043/4|url-status=live}}
The album Dyki Tantsi (Wild Dances) was released in June 2003 in Ukraine. The album sold more than 170,000 copies in the first 100 days after its release, even without a supporting tour. Together with its English language counterpart it was the first album ever to be certified five times platinum in Ukraine, selling more than 500,000 copies, making it the most successful album in Ukraine ever.
==Eurovision Song Contest 2004==
{{main|Eurovision Song Contest 2004}}
Ruslana was internally selected by the NTU to represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004. Before the contest, she was a hot favorite for victory by the bookmakers. At the Eurovision Song Contest 2004, she performed her self-composed song, Wild Dances and won the contest receiving 280 points. In the semifinal, the song received points from all other participating countries; in the final, Switzerland was the only country not giving any points to the song.
The single Wild Dances stayed a total of 97 weeks in various European single charts. It was certified gold in Belgium, Sweden, Russia, Greece, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In Belgium, it topped the singles charts at #1 for 10 consecutive weeks. Also in Ukraine and Greece, the song peaked at #1. The English language album Wild Dances was released in many European countries in the autumn of 2004. In Las Vegas she received the World Music Award as best selling Ukrainian artist.
After her victory Ruslana was appointed advisor to the Ukrainian prime minister, and the Ukrainian president bestowed upon her one of the country's highest honors when she received the title of People's Artist of Ukraine.
In Belgium she was among the top 15 ranked performers with her singles "Wild Dances" and "Dance with the Wolves".{{cite web|url=http://ukraineallaboutu.com/travel-in-ukraine/meet-people/#/ruslana/|title=Meet world famous Ukrainian celebrities Shevchenko, Klitschko and Ruslana|date=14 July 2012|publisher=Ukraine All About|access-date=9 July 2013|archive-date=21 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121192539/http://ukraineallaboutu.com/travel-in-ukraine/meet-people/#/ruslana/|url-status=live}} Ruslana was named the most popular person in Belgium, the sexiest girl in Greece, the most influential public person in Ukraine and was the first foreigner to receive the award of the Federation of Journalists in Turkey.
=2005=
{{main|Eurovision Song Contest 2005}}
File:Ruslana Ukrainian stamp 2005-2.jpg
Ruslana had been initially chosen to host the semi-final and the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/4368|title=Ruslana resigns as host|last=Bakker|first=Sietse|date=4 May 2005|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=27 January 2010|archive-date=15 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015204335/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/4368|url-status=live}} However, the singer had to decline the offer due to her involvement in the organization of a big charity concert dedicated to the victims of the Chernobyl disaster. Therefore, Ruslana appeared at the event only as a guest star. She performed a medley of Wild Dances and Heart on Fire at the opening ceremony being accompanied by the Zhyttia ballet and the Ukrainian drums ensemble ARS Nova. After interviewing the competitors in the green room she also performed her latest single The Same Star. During this performance, Ruslana wore a red costume inspired by Ukrainian ethnic elements.
Also in 2005, Ruslana designed the cover for Jonathan Safran Foer's The Unabridged Pocket Book of Lightning which was produced as part of Penguin Books' 70th birthday celebrations.{{cite web|url=http://bookcoverarchive.com/book/the_unabridged_pocketbook_of_lightning|title=Book cover archive|date=5 June 2005|publisher=bookcoverarchieve.com|access-date=30 December 2013|archive-date=30 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234840/http://bookcoverarchive.com/book/the_unabridged_pocketbook_of_lightning|url-status=live}}
=2006=
{{main|Die Grand Prix Hitliste}}
In 2006, Ruslana's song "Wild Dances" was named Germany's all-time favorite Eurovision entry in an internet poll arranged by the German public television broadcaster NDR. During the television program {{lang|de|Die Grand Prix Hitliste}}, "Wild Dances" was presented as the winner, ahead of well-known classics, such as "Waterloo" and Germany's only winner (at the time), "{{lang|de|Ein Bißchen Frieden|italic=no}}", which finished in sixth and twelfth place respectively. The programme was viewed by a television audience of approximately six million people in Germany.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/6210|title=Ruslana – The best of Eurovision|author=Busa, Alexandru|publisher=esctoday|date=4 July 2007|access-date=24 May 2006|archive-date=24 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124122126/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/6210|url-status=live}}
For the FIFA World Cup 2006 Ruslana went on tour in Germany to support the Ukraine national football team. She performed in Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin, Leipzig, and Nuremberg.
=2008: Wild Energy and ''Grand Theft Auto IV''=
Ruslana's project Wild Energy was based on the science fiction novel by Maryna and Sergij Diachenko Wild Energy. Lana. In a future city which experiences a global energy crisis, far more threatening than lack of oil and gas, people are lacking their will to live, their energy of the heart – the "fuel for people". Lana, one of the synthetic inhabitants, sets out to find the mystical energy source. After many adventures, she discovers that the wild energy comes from her own heart.
Wild Energy combines the art of music and video production, literature and social commitment in an extraordinary way. In June 2006 Ruslana presented the new single and video Wild Energy in a unique fantasy style. In this video clip, the singer develops from a synthetic blonde girl into her wild image.
In March 2008 Ruslana's Ukrainian album Amazonka was released in Ukraine, Czech Republic and Slovakia. The English album Wild Energy was released by Warner Music in Canada and several European countries in autumn 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/10527/ruslana_sings_major_recording_deal_with_warner_records/|title=Ruslana signs major recording deal with Warner Records|date=15 February 2008|publisher=EscToday.com|access-date=15 February 2008|archive-date=1 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201085901/https://esctoday.com/10527/ruslana_sings_major_recording_deal_with_warner_records/|url-status=live}}
The album was recorded at the Hit Factory Studio in Miami and contains two collaborations with American Urban superstars T-Pain and Missy Elliott.{{cite web|url=http://blog.ruslana.ua/?p=377&language=en|title=Ruslana Blog » RUSLANA TO RELEASE "WILD ENERGY" ON 10 OCTOBER, 2008|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=14 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914161615/http://blog.ruslana.ua/?p=377&language=en|url-status=dead}} On this release Ruslana creates her own distinctive technique of incorporating ancient ethnic styles of the Carpathian Mountain people with modern popular music.
In Grand Theft Auto IV, Ruslana lends her voice as the host of Vladivostok FM. Her song "Wild Dances" is featured as one of the songs on Vladivostok. On 13 May 2008, Grand Theft Auto IV broke the Guinness World Records for "Highest grossing video game in 24 hours" and "Highest Revenue Generated by an Entertainment Product in 24 Hours". It sold 3.6 million copies on day one generating $310 million in revenue.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/13/grand-theft-auto-iv-breaks-guinness-world-records-with-biggest-entertainment-release-of-all-time|title=Grand Theft Auto IV breaks Guinness World Records with biggest entertainment release of all-time|date=13 May 2008|publisher=ign.com|access-date=12 June 2014|archive-date=28 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028092304/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/13/grand-theft-auto-iv-breaks-guinness-world-records-with-biggest-entertainment-release-of-all-time|url-status=live}}
=2009–2010: Asia Song Festival & new album recordings=
File:Ruslana in 2009 Asia Song Festival.jpg in Seoul, Korea]]
In 2009, she was invited to attend the sixth Asia Song Festival which took place in Seoul, Korea. The event was held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium where Ruslana sung in front of an audience of 60,000 people. Together with the Zhyttia ballet, she performed three songs from her first international album: "Wild Dances", "Dance with the Wolves" and a bilingual version of "Play, Musician!". Her act was met with great enthusiasm by the Asian public who didn't know her until that moment. Even if she was supposed to receive only an award for her contribution to the cultural exchange between Ukraine and Asia in music, in the end she also won the main award of the festival, receiving the golden statue for the best artist of the Asia Song Festival 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=4283|title=Ruslana conquered Asian hearts|date=22 September 2009|publisher=eurovision.tv|access-date=12 June 2014|archive-date=18 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118192331/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=4283|url-status=live}}
=2011–2012: The Voice of Ukraine and Ukrainian album ''Ey-fori-YA''=
In 2011, Ruslana was appointed as one of the judges of the Ukrainian version of The Voice show. Her involvement in the project was featured on the Dutch TV where the original show of the series kicked off. Eventually, Ruslana's alumni, Tonya Matvienko, placed 2nd in the grand final of the Ukrainian show.
Also in 2011, her song Wild Dances was used by the American gymnast Jordyn Wieber as the soundtrack for her floor exercise.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/7096506/jordyn-wieber-wins-world-gymnastics-all-title|title=Jordyn Wieber wins world all-around title|date=13 October 2011|publisher=ESPN|access-date=6 August 2013|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304201355/http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/7096506/jordyn-wieber-wins-world-gymnastics-all-title|url-status=live}} Wieber eventually became the 2011 World Women's All-Around Champion and won the golden medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics performing her floor exercise on Ruslana's song.
In April 2012 the new Ukrainian language album ЕЙ-форі-Я (EY-fori-YA) was released in Ukraine. The album on which Ruslana had worked for four years was produced in the US, Sweden and Ukraine produced by Vlad Debriansky and Ruslana and features musicians such as Rusty Allen, Victor Little, George Benson, Brian Coller and others.{{cite web|url=http://umka.com/eng/catalogue/dance-pop/ruslana-ey-fori-ya-eu-phori-a.html|title=Ruslana. HEY-phori-YEAH. (EU-phori-A)|website=UMKA|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=17 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517120147/http://umka.com/eng/catalogue/dance-pop/ruslana-ey-fori-ya-eu-phori-a.html|url-status=live}}
Despite its intercontinental rock and pop nature, the album EY-fori-YA and the three songs taken from it previously is based on Slavic rhythms. Ruslana integrated old Slavic circle dances, liturgies and elements of classic pieces of Russian composers including Glinka, Tschaikowsky, Mussorgsky, and Rachmaninow.
The album is designed for flash mob type synchronous dances. In April/May 2012 she toured 11 Ukrainian cities with a unique show concept called OGO Show. During these open-air events Ruslana appeared as lead dancer teaching the audience the moves. The audience doesn't consume passively, but is integrated into the show.[http://www.ogoshow.com.ua Ogoshow] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803042756/http://ogoshow.com.ua/ |date=3 August 2012}} More concept concerts followed within the framework of the EURO 2012 public fan events.
=2013: International album ''My Boo! (Together!)'' & ''Clash of the Choirs''=
Her third international album was set to be released in 2013 under the title My Boo! (Together!).{{cite web|url=http://www.perfecte.ro/international/ti-o-mai-amintesti-pe-ruslana-castigatoarea-eurovisionului-din-2004-vezi-cum-arata-acum-la-40-de-ani.html|title=Ti-o mai amintesti pe Ruslana?|publisher=perfecte.ro|access-date=7 June 2013|archive-date=20 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520100136/http://www.perfecte.ro/international/ti-o-mai-amintesti-pe-ruslana-castigatoarea-eurovisionului-din-2004-vezi-cum-arata-acum-la-40-de-ani.html|url-status=live}} The new material shows how versatile Ruslana is as an artist as she completely changed her style since the Wild Energy project, from a wild Amazon to an Urban pop princess.
Most of the album was produced by Vlad DeBriansky in Los Angeles and includes the names of American top musicians such as Rusty Allen, Victor Little, Oscar Seaton, Brian Coller as well as Stefan Örn from Sweden who won the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 as a songwriter. Goran Bregovich, the legendary Balkan musician from Serbia produced the song Kray{{Cite web |url=http://www.umka.com.ua/eng/catalogue/dance-pop/ruslana-ey-fori-ya-eu-phori-a.html |title=UMKA : Ruslana. HEY-phori-YEAH. (EU-phori-A) |access-date=31 August 2012 |archive-date=5 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805060407/http://www.umka.com.ua/eng/catalogue/dance-pop/ruslana-ey-fori-ya-eu-phori-a.html |url-status=live}}
At the same time of the release of the new English album Ruslana's Ukrainian album ЕЙ-форі-Я (EY-fori-YA, Euphoria) was re-released under the new title Мій Брат! (разом) (Miy Brat! (razom!), My Brother! (together!)). The renaming of the album had become necessary because of the coincidental same name of the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. The Swedish singer Loreen won the event with the song Euphoria, one month after Ruslana had released her Ukrainian album and song of the same name. In order to avoid misunderstandings Ruslana's renamed not only her album but also her English song Euphoria into This Is Euphoria.{{YouTube|iZbREPPVRYI|Interview Ruslana – My boo! (World Out Games 2013 – Antwerp – Belgium)}}
In August 2013 Ruslana globally released the single This Is Euphoria digitally. The track was composed and produced by Ruslana and the Swedish musician Stefan Örn.
She was invited to perform at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2013 which took place in her country's capital Kyiv.{{cite web|url=https://junioreurovision.tv/story/remarkable-ruslana-to-perform-with-a-children-s-choir-at-the-junior-eurovision-song-contest|title=Remarkable Ruslana to perform with a children's choir at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest|website=junioreurovision.tv|date=19 November 2013|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218054355/https://junioreurovision.tv/story/remarkable-ruslana-to-perform-with-a-children-s-choir-at-the-junior-eurovision-song-contest|url-status=live}} Nevertheless, she withdrew her act from the show considering the violence shown by the Ukrainian authorities against those who were peacefully protesting in the country's capital.{{Cite web |url=http://escreporter.com/why-wasnt-ruslana-at-junior-eurovision/ |title=Why wasn't Ruslana at Junior Eurovision? |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=25 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325025141/http://escreporter.com/why-wasnt-ruslana-at-junior-eurovision/ |url-status=live}}
She was one of the coaches of the first season of the Clash of the Choirs TV show in Ukraine. Ruslana and her alumni from the city of Lviv have won the grand final of the project on 5 January 2014, receiving 78% of the tele voting.{{cite web |url=http://www.1plus1.ua/novyny/ruslana-rozridalasya-na-sceni-bitvi-horiv-pochuvshi-pro-peremogu-svoyeyi-komandi-328407.html |title=Руслана розридалася на сцені "Битви хорів", почувши про перемогу своєї команди — Новини |publisher=1plus1.ua |access-date=2014-06-06 |archive-date=9 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109111231/http://www.1plus1.ua/novyny/ruslana-rozridalasya-na-sceni-bitvi-horiv-pochuvshi-pro-peremogu-svoyeyi-komandi-328407.html |url-status=live}}
=2014–2016: Eurovision juror=
In January 2014 her international album My Boo! (Together!) was released digitally. For her subsequent album Ruslana intended to study again ethnic motifs as she regarded the Wild Dances project as her most creative work.{{cite web|url=http://show.obozrevatel.com/article/50138-ruslana-myi-s-muzhem-sozdanyi-drug-dlya-druga.htm|title=Ruslana: My s muzhem sozdany drug dlya druga|work=Obozrevatel.com|access-date=7 June 2013|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042855/http://show.obozrevatel.com/article/50138-ruslana-myi-s-muzhem-sozdanyi-drug-dlya-druga.htm|url-status=dead}} Due to her active involvement in the Euromaidan in Ukraine, Ruslana had to postpone her musical plans.
Ruslana was invited as music expert for Eurosong, the Belgian selection for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in order to choose the best candidate to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.escflashmalta.com/index.php/music-news/international-music-news/item/3301-belgium-ruslana-joins-panel-for-eurosong-2014|title=Belgium: Ruslana Joins Panel for Eurosong 2014|work=ESCflashMalta.com|access-date=20 November 2013|archive-date=17 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517120144/http://www.escflashmalta.com/index.php/music-news/international-music-news/item/3301-belgium-ruslana-joins-panel-for-eurosong-2014|url-status=live}}
On 9 and 10 October Ruslana held two concerts at the Manchester Ukrainian Cultural Centre 'Dnipro'. She originally planned on performing only one show however as the tickets sold out within hours, it was decided that she would perform a second concert the next day. Tickets for that show were also almost sold out.{{cite web|url=http://www.ruslana.ua/ua/news.php?id=6253|title=Два надзвичайних живих концерти в Манчестері|access-date=25 October 2015|archive-date=20 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320005611/http://ruslana.ua/ua/news.php?id=6253|url-status=dead}}
On 24 October, Ruslana performed a concert along with the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus in Massey Hall in Toronto. The purpose of the concert was to showcase the beauty and the importance of the Bandura in Ukrainian music and culture. For her final song, Ruslana performed along with the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus as well as the Zoloti Struny Youth Bandura Ensemble based in Toronto. She was a judge at Vidbir, Ukraine's National Selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. Out of the three jury members, she was the only one who supported the singer Jamala who later on became the second Eurovision winner from Ukraine.
In late 2016, after Jamala's victory at Eurovision in Stockholm, Ruslana played 3 concerts in Western Europe. In October she played in London, in November she played in Paris and in December she played in Hanover (Hannover). In all of these concerts she spoke about the victory that Jamala brought for Ukraine, and how Ukraine would be opening up to the world again in May 2017.
=2017: It's Magical / Ya lyublyu=
After her long-lasting creative break, which was caused by the dramatic and stormy events in Ukraine, Ruslana presented her new single "It's Magical / Я люблю" at the Eurovision Grand Finale in Kyiv on 13 May 2017. The new music style combines tender cradle songs with brisk exotic melodies and rhythms. The original, exotic manner of singing which forms the basis of the soundtrack Ruslana acquired on sometimes extreme expeditions into the Carpathian Mountains. The song was released in an English ("It's Magical") and a Ukrainian version ("Я люблю" / "Ya lyublyu" / "I Love").{{cite web |url=https://oikotimes.com/2017/05/18/ruslana-releases-brand-new-single-and-video-because-its-magical/ |title=Ruslana releases brand new single and video "It's Magical" |publisher=Oikotimes |date=2017-05-18 |access-date=2017-05-21}}{{Dead link|date=September 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}
The film production took place in a unique place, the Basalt quarry in the Rivne region. Director Oles Sanin created a thunderstorm in a realistic way for the video clip. The image of Ruslana in the chainmail in which she appears in the clip resembles her internal state. After all the events in her country and her extreme expeditions into the mountains, Ruslana feels like a kind of warrioress who is called to protect the most valuable: Love. In her song, video Ruslana wants to draw attention to the widespread deforestation in the Carpathians. Her aim is the preservation of the Carpathian primeval forests, their unique wildlife, and exceptional culture.
Political activities
=2004: Orange Revolution=
{{main|Orange Revolution}}
In autumn 2004 Ruslana actively supported the democratic processes in Ukraine known as the Orange Revolution, to which her song "Dance with the Wolves" was devoted. She declared her support for Viktor Yushchenko during the disputed Ukrainian presidential elections. She became one of the prominent figures that addressed the mass crowds rallying in support of Yushchenko's demand that his original defeat be declared fraudulent.
From spring 2006 to summer 2007 she was a Member of the Ukrainian Parliament for the party Our Ukraine.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ruslana.com.ua/text/arch/eng/arch2007summer.html |title=Ruslana resigns as Member of Parliament |access-date=19 June 2008 |archive-date=28 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028075020/http://www.ruslana.com.ua/text/arch/eng/arch2007summer.html |url-status=live}}
Ruslana endorsed Yulia Tymoshenko during the 2010 Ukrainian presidential election{{in lang|uk}} [http://pravda.com.ua/news/2009/6/26/97365.htm Руслана на виборах президента підтримає Тимошенко] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201205618/http://pravda.com.ua/news/2009/6/26/97365.htm |date=1 December 2009}}, Ukrainska Pravda (26 June 2009) and actively supported her candidature during the election campaign.{{in lang|uk}} [http://pravda.com.ua/news/2009/9/10/101315.htm Зірковий колгосп для Тимошенко] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203051024/http://pravda.com.ua/news/2009/9/10/101315.htm |date=3 December 2009}}, Ukrayinska Pravda (10 September 2009)[http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-335965.html Best singers of country start tour in support of Tymoshenko] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201021633/https://www.unian.info/politics/264100-session-of-parliament-not-to-take-place-today-sharov.html?page=2&ajax=1 |date=1 December 2023}}, UNIAN (14 September 2009)
=2012: Campaign against judicial arbitrariness=
In December 2012 Ruslana launched the human rights campaign Не мовчи (Don't keep silent) which challenges the juridical system of Ukraine. In particular she supports the case of Dmytro and Sergiy Pavlichenko who claim to have been forced to admit a murder they have not committed. The father and son were convicted of killing a judge of a district court in Kyiv and sentenced to life imprisonment and 13 years in prison respectively.{{cite web|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/132017.html|title=Ukrainian ombudsperson promises to check Pavlichenkos' claims of extorted confession to murder|publisher=Interfax Ukraine|date=14 December 2012|access-date=16 December 2012|archive-date=2 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202231334/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/132017.html|url-status=live}} The verdict was widely criticized mainly by football fans.{{cite web|url=http://www.theyarenotkillers.com/|title=theyarenotkillers.com|access-date=16 December 2012|archive-date=27 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127001807/http://theyarenotkillers.com/|url-status=live}} Ruslana dedicated her song and video Це – Ей-форі-Я (This is Euphoria) to the case of the Pavlichenkos who according to her are victims of a misjudgement.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syGbUmsEI0M&list=UUwswva9TnLYr46Lm2rdyhmw|title=Ruslana's advocacy campaign "Don't Keep Silent", Press-center UNIAN|publisher=RuslanaTube|date=4 December 2012|access-date=16 December 2012|archive-date=24 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524001036/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syGbUmsEI0M&list=UUwswva9TnLYr46Lm2rdyhmw|url-status=live}}
=2013–2014: Euromaidan=
{{see also|Euromaidan}}
File:Ruslana reading out an official resolution of Euromaidan.jpg
File:Ruslana in Brussels.JPG and Henri Malosse at the Plenary Session of the EESC in Brussels]]
File:First Lady Michelle Obama and Deputy Secretary Higginbottom With 2014 IWOC Awardee Ruslana Lyzhychko of Ukraine (12935913344).jpg and Deputy Secretary Heather Higginbottom pose for a photo with 2014 Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Award Winner Ruslana]]
Ruslana was one of the leading figures of the pro-EU protests known as Euromaidan.[http://www.kyivpost.com/guide/about-kyiv/musicians-liven-up-euromaidan-stage-332611.html Musicians liven up EuroMaidan stage], Kyiv Post (29 November 2013) {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129091452/http://www.kyivpost.com/guide/about-kyiv/musicians-liven-up-euromaidan-stage-332611.html |date=29 November 2013}}{{cite news|title=Bershidsky on Europe: Swiss Reject Pay Cap|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-25/bershidsky-on-europe-swiss-reject-pay-cap.html|access-date=25 November 2013|date=25 November 2013|publisher=Bloomberg News|quote=Yet the Euromaidan, as the protest campaign is known, is serious enough to give President Viktor Yanukovych a serious scare.|archive-date=26 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126191653/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-25/bershidsky-on-europe-swiss-reject-pay-cap.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|script-title=uk:"Євромайдан" вимагає скасування рішення уряду про відмову від євроінтеграції|url=https://www.holosameryky.com/content/ukrainian-euromaidan/1796743.html|access-date=25 November 2013|agency=Voice of America: Ukrainian|language=uk|date=24 November 2013|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203081218/http://ukrainian.voanews.com/content/ukrainian-euromaidan/1796743.html|url-status=live}} On 22 November 2013, Ukrainian citizens started spontaneous protests in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, after the Ukrainian government had suspended preparations for signing an Association Agreement with the European Union.{{cite news|title=Ukraine drops EU plans and looks to Russia|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/11/ukraine-drops-eu-plans-looks-russia-20131121145417227621.html|access-date=24 November 2013|newspaper=Al Jazeera|date=21 November 2013|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407062021/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/11/ukraine-drops-eu-plans-looks-russia-20131121145417227621.html|url-status=live}}
{{external media | width = 210px | float = right | headerimage = 210px | video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H2-_lUIcI0 Ukrainian star & activist Ruslana speaks at the National Press Club], 5 March 2014, 1:09:44}}
From the first day of the protests she stayed on Kyiv's Maidan Nezalezhnosti virtually all night, up to ten hours a night.[http://www.nbcnews.com/id/53812822/ns/world_news-europe/#.Uq8vxLTKlHU Ukrainian Eurovision pop star becomes voice of protest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216182230/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/53812822/ns/world_news-europe/#.Uq8vxLTKlHU |date=16 December 2013}}, NBCNews.com (12 December 2013)[http://www.ibtimes.com/ukraines-euromaidan-how-kiev-protests-reflect-ukraines-dance-between-east-west-1509144 Ukraine's EuroMaidan: How The Kiev Protests Reflect Ukraine's Dance Between East And West] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219032824/http://www.ibtimes.com/ukraines-euromaidan-how-kiev-protests-reflect-ukraines-dance-between-east-west-1509144 |date=19 December 2013}}, International Business Times (13 December 2013) In an interview with The Daily Beast on 11 December 2013 she explained her role in the opposition as "charging Maidan with freedom-loving energy", insisted she "hates" politics[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/12/11/meet-ruslana-lyzhychko-the-soulvoickraine-s-revolution.html Meet Ruslana Lyzhychko, the Soul of Ukraine's Revolution] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216184208/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/12/11/meet-ruslana-lyzhychko-the-soulvoickraine-s-revolution.html |date=16 December 2013}}, The Daily Beast (11 December 2013) and denied supporting any single leader.[http://uk.news.yahoo.com/eurovision-winner-sings-revolution-ukraine-174632324.html#AvyIJig Eurovision winner sings for revolution in Ukraine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227080449/http://uk.news.yahoo.com/eurovision-winner-sings-revolution-ukraine-174632324.html#AvyIJig |date=27 December 2014}}, Yahoo News (13 December 2013)
In total Ruslana spent at least 100 days and 100 nights on the Maidan stage during the cold winter inspiring the crowds, giving speeches and singing the Ukraine national anthem every hour day after day and night after and night, often sleeping just a couple of hours on the floor of the Trade Union building occupied by the protesters.{{cite news|title=Ruslana at John Batchelor Show, 7.4.2014|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4X4r4OEDSU|access-date=7 April 2014|date=7 April 2014|archive-date=7 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707092847/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4X4r4OEDSU|url-status=live}} As a symbol of people power, peace and freedom she established holding up flashlights while singing the Ukraine national anthem.
When during the night of 30 November 2013 the riot police wanted to clear the occupied Maidan and started beating up peacefully sleeping activists, Ruslana rushed for help and managed to seek shelter with about 100 students, some of them wounded, in a nearby monastery.{{cite news|title=Special police disrupts EuroMaidan|url=http://ukrainianweek.com/News/95319|access-date=12 June 2014|newspaper=The Ukrainian Week|date=30 November 2013|archive-date=15 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715072207/http://ukrainianweek.com/News/95319|url-status=live}} During another night in December 2013, when riot police advanced again towards the square, Ruslana did her utmost to deescalate the situation by talking to them from the stage repeating over and over again "Quiet! No violence!". The 2,000+ riot police eventually retreated.{{cite news|title=Ruslana Honored with International Women of Courage Award|url=http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/statements/ruslana-03042014.html|access-date=12 June 2014|newspaper=Embassy of the United States in Ukraine|date=4 March 2014|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233526/http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/statements/ruslana-03042014.html|url-status=dead}}
Her commitment in the pro-European movement was featured in many international publications. While the American press regarded her as the 'true heroine of Ukraine',{{cite news|title=Meet Ruslana Lyzhychko, the Soul of Ukraine's Revolution|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/12/11/meet-ruslana-lyzhychko-the-soulvoickraine-s-revolution.html|access-date=11 December 2013|newspaper=Daily Beast|date=11 December 2013|archive-date=14 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214022903/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/12/11/meet-ruslana-lyzhychko-the-soulvoickraine-s-revolution.html|url-status=live}} the German magazine Spiegel called her 'Kyiv's queen of the night',{{cite news|title=Revolutionssängerin Ruslana: Kiews Königin der Nacht|url=http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/ukraine-saengerin-ruslana-stimmt-jede-nacht-die-nationalhymne-an-a-939391.html|access-date=31 December 2013|newspaper=Spiegel|date=17 December 2013|archive-date=1 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101062731/http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/ukraine-saengerin-ruslana-stimmt-jede-nacht-die-nationalhymne-an-a-939391.html|url-status=live}} and the Spanish newspaper El Mundo compared her to Jeanne d'Arc.{{cite news|title=Ruslana, una indígena ucraniana por Europa|url=http://www.elmundo.es/loc/2013/12/09/52a2257e63fd3deb448b457e.html|access-date=31 December 2013|newspaper=El Mundo|date=9 December 2013|archive-date=1 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101195014/http://www.elmundo.es/loc/2013/12/09/52a2257e63fd3deb448b457e.html|url-status=live}} The media even compared her to Katniss Everdeen, the heroine of The Hunger Games trilogy.{{cite news|title=How Ukraine is like "The Hunger Games"|url=http://www.vocativ.com/01-2014/ukraine-like-hunger-games/|access-date=7 January 2014|newspaper=Vocativ.com|date=7 January 2014|archive-date=7 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107183227/http://www.vocativ.com/01-2014/ukraine-like-hunger-games/|url-status=dead}} The Russian Forbes magazine included her in the top 10 of the most influential women of 2013{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.ru/forbes-woman-photogallery/zhenshchiny-v-biznese/249077-zhenshchiny-goda-2013-reiting-forbes-woman/photo/10|title=Forbes: Most influential women of 2013|date=1 January 2014|work=Forbes|access-date=1 January 2014|archive-date=2 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102200438/http://www.forbes.ru/forbes-woman-photogallery/zhenshchiny-v-biznese/249077-zhenshchiny-goda-2013-reiting-forbes-woman/photo/10|url-status=live}} and the Business Ukraine magazine named her 'person of the year'.{{cite web|url=http://www.bunews.com.ua/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1238:business-ukraine-magazine-person-of-the-year-ruslana&catid=6:politics&Itemid=2 |title=Person of the year: Ruslana |date=13 January 2014 |publisher=Business Ukraine |access-date=13 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111153333/http://www.bunews.com.ua/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1238:business-ukraine-magazine-person-of-the-year-ruslana&catid=6:politics&Itemid=2 |archive-date=11 January 2014}}
From January 2014, Ruslana started to meet with key EU and U.S. politicians asking for support for Ukraine. Her first appearance in this role at the 495th Plenary Session of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and a meeting with José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, resulted in a resolution of the EESC to support the Ukrainian civil society and its democratic rights.{{cite news|title=The protest movement of Maidan in Kiev at the EESC|url=http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=president.en.my-news.30579|access-date=25 January 2014|publisher=Website of the EESC|archive-date=4 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204032708/http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=president.en.my-news.30579|url-status=live}} In the following months Ruslana travelled to Stockholm, Paris, Warsaw, Brussels, Vienna, Strasbourg, Berlin, Munich, São Paulo, Washington, D.C., and New York speaking to leading government officials calling for international support, and giving interviews to press about the situation in Ukraine.
Her activism put herself in serious danger. She received numerous death threats on her phone, her car was followed and she couldn't live in her house for several weeks because it was constantly observed. Snipers aimed at her while she was standing on the Maidan stage. The threats started after she started demanding sanctions from the EU governments against the Yanukovych government.{{cite web|url=http://maidantranslations.com/2014/02/10/ruslana-titushky-banished-me-from-my-home-threaten-to-punish-me-like-bulatov/comment-page-1/|title=Ruslana: Titushky banished me from my home, threaten to punish me like Bulatov|date=9 February 2014|publisher=Pravda.com.ua|access-date=7 June 2014|archive-date=7 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607210153/http://maidantranslations.com/2014/02/10/ruslana-titushky-banished-me-from-my-home-threaten-to-punish-me-like-bulatov/comment-page-1/|url-status=live}} Ruslana had also noted the presence of paid provocateurs who have instigated fights in the otherwise peaceful protests.{{cite web|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/euromaidan/euromaidan-rallies-in-ukraine-live-updates-332341.html|title=EuroMaidan rallies in Ukraine — Dec.9 - Dec. 10, 2013|date=10 December 2013|website=KyivPost|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=11 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211183128/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/euromaidan-rallies-in-ukraine-live-updates-332341.html|url-status=live}} After President Viktor Yanukovych had fled the country in late February 2014 and the fights in Ukraine escalated Ruslana targeted Russian President Vladimir Putin as aggressor and demanded sanctions against him and his government. In Washington, D.C., she stated: "Putin's propaganda is a machine against the truth. Putin started his terrorist operation in Eastern Ukraine and is preparing his way to Kyiv. Russia's special forces, terrorist, are invading Ukraine ... Tomorrow we will wake up and see that Putin took away everything he wanted."{{cite web|url=http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/en/news/transcripts/2014-distinguished-humanitarian-leadership-award-ruslana-lyzhychko|title=2014 Distinguished Humanitarian Leadership Award: Ruslana Lyzhychko|date=30 April 2014|publisher=Atlantic Council|access-date=7 June 2014|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923180156/http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/en/news/transcripts/2014-distinguished-humanitarian-leadership-award-ruslana-lyzhychko|url-status=live}}
For her extraordinary courage, commitment and dedication Ruslana was honoured with several awards including the International Woman of Courage Award, awarded by First Lady Michelle Obama at the Woman in the World Summit in New York{{cite web|url=http://ilve2leadblogil2lorg.me/2014/04/08/international-woman-of-courage-ruslana-lyzhchko-of-the-ukraine/|title=International Woman of Courage: Ruslana Lyzhchko of the Ukraine|date=8 April 2014|publisher=Woman in the World Summit|access-date=7 June 2014|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714125636/http://ilve2leadblogil2lorg.me/2014/04/08/international-woman-of-courage-ruslana-lyzhchko-of-the-ukraine/|url-status=dead}} and the 2014 Distinguished Humanitarian Leadership Award from at the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C.{{cite web|url=http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/en/news/transcripts/2014-distinguished-humanitarian-leadership-award-ruslana-lyzhychko|title=2014 Distinguished Humanitarian Leadership Award: Ruslana Lyzhychko|date=30 April 2014|publisher=Atlantic Council|access-date=7 June 2014|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923180156/http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/en/news/transcripts/2014-distinguished-humanitarian-leadership-award-ruslana-lyzhychko|url-status=live}}
On 24 May 2014, the day before the presidential election in Ukraine which happened to be also her birthday, Ruslana organized a global joint prayer which involved one million people in several countries highlighting the unity of Ukrainians across the world and the global support for Ukraine. Ruslana herself read the prayer "For Ukraine, for peace and quiet" and performed the Ukraine national anthem in 12 languages on Mount Khomyak in the Carpathian Mountains.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.768951153150053.1073741887.143316715713503&type=3|title=Ruslana with a million people around the world prayed for Ukraine|date=24 May 2014|via=Facebook RuslanaOfficial|access-date=7 June 2014|archive-date=1 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201021502/https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.768951153150053.1073741887.143316715713503&type=3|url-status=live}}
Social commitment
In 2004 to 2005 Ruslana was appointed Good Will Ambassador of Ukraine by the UNICEF and combats trafficking in human beings.{{cite web|url=http://www.brama.com/news/press/2005/05/050510ruslana_unicef.html|title=Ruslana becomes first ever UNICEF National Ambassador in Ukraine|website=brama.com|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218054619/http://www.brama.com/news/press/2005/05/050510ruslana_unicef.html|url-status=live}} She released two video clips which aim to make potential victims aware of the dangers of human trafficking. In February 2008 Ruslana performed at an anti-human trafficking event in Vienna, Austria, organized by UN.GIFT (The United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking) in front of 117 international delegations. Her song Not for Sale became the anthem of the anti-trafficking campaign.{{Cite web |url=http://blog.ruslana.ua/?language=en |title=Ruslana Blog |access-date=14 June 2008 |archive-date=17 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017103851/http://blog.ruslana.ua/?language=en |url-status=dead}}
Within the frames of the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 in Kyiv she gave a charity concert for children suffering from the consequences of the Chernobyl tragedy. For another charity project Ruslana joined forces with German rock star Peter Maffay.[http://www.maffay.de/begegnungen/ Website of Peter Maffay] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311082622/http://www.maffay.de/begegnungen |date=11 March 2010}} In April/May 2007 they went together with artists from 14 countries on a four weeks tour through Germany. The funds gathered benefited children in need.
Ruslana has also staged numerous charity concerts benefiting Children's hospitals in Kyiv, Lviv and Dnipropetrovsk.
With her project Wild Energy Ruslana supports the use of renewable energy. She regards the energy of the sun, the water and the wind as an energy independence. The project gradually developed into this bigger meaning. Ruslana wants to make people aware of the dangers of global climate change.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89436819|title=A Ukrainian Pop Star's Would-Be Revolution|publisher=NPR|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=23 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723003925/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89436819|url-status=live}} In September 2018, she was appointed as global ambassador for renewable energy by Global100RE.{{cite web|url=http://www.go100re.net/press-release-wild-energy-concert-fuels-100-renewable-energy-cause/|title=Eurovision Song Contest Winner Ruslana appointed as Ambassador for the Global 100% Renewable Energy Platform|access-date=8 February 2019|archive-date=7 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207193148/http://www.go100re.net/press-release-wild-energy-concert-fuels-100-renewable-energy-cause/|url-status=live}}
After large regions in Western Ukraine were hit by a flood in July 2008 Ruslana set up the co-ordinating and relief centre Carpathians. Flood. SOS! 2008. The aim of the centre is to create a database of the people in need, to provide emergency humanitarian help and to collect and distribute donations both from the public and from other Ukrainian artists and sportsmen to support the victims of the flood.{{cite web|url=http://karpatysos.info/en|title=身長を伸ばすには?|website=karpatysos.info|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218054351/http://karpatysos.info/en|url-status=live}}
Discography
{{main|Ruslana discography}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Ukrainian-language studio albums=
- 1998: Myt' Vesny – Dzvinkyj Viter
- 1999: Ostannie rizdvo 90-kh
- 2001: Najkrashche
- 2002: Dobryi vechir, tobi...
- 2003: Dyki Tantsi
- 2006: Tance s vlky
- 2008: Amazonka
- 2012: Eyforiya
- 2013: Miy Brat! (razom!)
{{col-2}}
=English-language studio albums=
- 2004: Wild Dances
- 2005: Wild. Club'in
- 2008: Wild Energy
- 2013: My Boo (Together!)
{{col-end}}
=DVDs=
- 1998: Rizdvo z Ruslanoju (Christmas With Ruslana)
- 1999: Ostannje Rizdvo 90-h (Last Christmas of the 90's)
- 2002: Rizdvjani Legendy (Christmas Legends)
- 2003: Na Rizdvo do L'vivs'kogo (Christmas with L'vivians)
- 2008: Wild Energy. Amazon. Wild Dances
=International Singles=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Single ! scope="col" colspan="13"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album | |||||||||||||
scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| AUT
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| BEL (Vl) ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| FIN ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| DEU ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| GRE ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| POL ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| ROM ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| RUS ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| SWE ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| CHE ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| TUR ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| UKR ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| UK | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
rowspan="2"| 2004
! scope="row"| "Wild Dances" | 43 | 1 | 20 | 40 | 1 | 38 | 44 | 6 | 8 | 24 | 19 | 1 | 47
|rowspan="3"| Wild Dances | |
scope="row"| "Dance with the Wolves"
| – || 19 || – || – || 25 || 97 || 95 || 105 || – || – || – || 3 || – | |||||||||||||
2005
! scope="row"| "The Same Star" | – | 50 | – | – | – | – | 60 | 199 | – | – | – | 1 | – | |
2006
! scope="row"| "Wild Energy" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | –
|rowspan="3"| Wild Energy | |
rowspan="2" | 2008
! scope="row"| "Moon of Dreams" | – | – | – | – | – | – | 77 | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | |
scope="row| "Silent Angel"
| – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – | |||||||||||||
2013
! scope="row"| "This is Euphoria" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 9 | – | My Boo! (Together!) |
Awards and nominations
Music videos
- Ty (1998)
- Myt' Vesny (1998)
- Svitanok (1998)
- Balada pro princessu (1998)
- Kolyskova (1998)
- Znaju Ja (2000)
- Proschannya z disko (2001)
- Dobryi vechir, tobi... (2002)
- Kolomyjka (2003)
- Oj, Zagraimy, Muzychenku (2003)
- Wild Dances (2004)
- Dance with the Wolves (2004)
- Ring Dance with the Wolves (2005)
- The Same Star (2005)
- V rytme serdtsa (2005)
- Dyka Enerhija (2006)
- Moon of Dreams (feat. T-Pain) (2008)
- Vohon' chy lid (Vse ne te)(2008)
- Silent Angel (2008)
- Wow (2011)
- Sha-la-la (2011)
- Davaj hraj (2012)
- Tse – Ey-phori-Ya (2012)
- Rachmaninov (2013)
- It's Magical (2017)
- My viter (2020)
- Lirnytsia (2023)
- Iron Beat (2024)
Filmography
=Television=
class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
2000
| 2000 Today by BBC |rowspan="23"| Herself | Representative of Ukraine |
rowspan="2"| 2004
| Eurovision Song Contest 2004 | Ukraine's entry (winner) |
World Music Awards 2004
|rowspan="4"| Guest Star |
rowspan="3"| 2005 |
Making Your Mind Up 2005 |
Eurovision Song Contest 2005 |
2009
| Guest Star |
rowspan="2"| 2010
| Wipeout (BUM, Bytva Ukrayinskyh Mist) | Participant |
True La–La: Three Divas
| Guest Star |
rowspan="3"| 2011
| Eurovision Song Contest 2011 | Ukrainian Spokesperson |
The Secret History of Eurovision
| Guest Star |
The Voice of Ukraine
| Coach |
rowspan="2"| 2012
| Moya pravda / Ruslana. Ukroshcheniye stroptivoy | Guest Star |
MyDance
| Judge |
rowspan="3"| 2013
|rowspan="2"| Guest Star |
The Heart of Eurovision with Julia Zemiro |
Clash of the Choirs
| Сoach (winner) |
rowspan="2"| 2014
| Music expert / Judge |
The Charlie Rose Show
| Guest |
2016
| Ukrainian Eurovision national final 2016 | Judge |
2017
| Guest star |
2022
| Kaukės | Contestant |
2024
| Contestant (Zeeduivel) |
=Film=
class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role |
rowspan="2"|2015
| Pray for Ukraine |Herself |
Kazka staroho melʹnyka (The Tale of the Old Miller){{cite web|url=http://galka.if.ua/ruslana-stupka-tabakov-vitovska-mirzoyan-burmaka-znyalis-v-ukrayinskiy-kaztsi-foto/|title=Руслана, Ступка, Табаков, Вітовська, Мірзоян, Бурмака знялись в українській казці (фото)|date=3 December 2014|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218103525/http://galka.if.ua/ruslana-stupka-tabakov-vitovska-mirzoyan-burmaka-znyalis-v-ukrayinskiy-kaztsi-foto/|url-status=live}}
| TBA |
=Video Games=
class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role |
rowspan="2"| 2008
| Herself as the DJ of Vladivostok FM |
See also
{{commons}}
{{wikinews|Eurovision '04 winner Ruslana discusses her paths as singer, spokesmodel, stateswoman and source of inspiration}}
{{wikiquote}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.ruslana.ua/ Ruslana's official website]
- [https://www.facebook.com/ruslana.official Ruslana's official Facebook page]
- [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwswva9TnLYr46Lm2rdyhmw Official YouTube channel]
=Listening=
- [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89436819 Ruslana interview] from NPR All Things Considered program, 7 April 2008
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box |
| before={{flagicon|Turkey}} Sertab Erener
with "Everyway That I Can"
| title=Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest
| years=2004
| after={{flagicon|Greece}} Helena Paparizou
with "My Number One"
}}
{{succession box |
| before={{flagicon|Turkey}} Demir Demirkan
| title=Winning composer of the Eurovision Song Contest
| years=2004
| after={{flagicon|Greece}} Christos Dantis
}}
{{succession box
| before=Oleksandr Ponomariov
with "Hasta la vista"
| title=Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest
| years=2004
| after=GreenJolly
with "Razom nas bahato"
}}
{{succession box
| before=N/A
| title=Best Ukrainian Act – World Music Awards
| years=2004
| after=N/A
}}
{{succession box
| before=Agnes Monica
| title=Best Artist – Asia song festival
| years=2009
| after=4Minute
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Ruslana}}
{{International Women of Courage Awards}}
{{Ukrainian singers of 2000}}
{{Euromaidan}}
{{List of Eurovision Song Contest winners}}
{{Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest|state=collapsed}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2004|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ruslana}}
Category:21st-century Ukrainian conductors (music)
Category:21st-century Ukrainian women politicians
Category:21st-century Ukrainian women singers
Category:English-language singers from Ukraine
Category:Eurovision Song Contest winners
Category:Eurovision Song Contest-winning songwriters
Category:Fifth convocation members of the Verkhovna Rada
Category:Independent politicians of Our Ukraine Bloc
Category:Lviv Conservatory alumni
Category:MAD Video Music Awards winners
Category:People of the Euromaidan
Category:Politicians from Lviv
Category:Recipients of the International Women of Courage Award
Category:Recipients of the title of Merited Artist of Ukraine
Category:Recipients of the title of People's Artists of Ukraine
Category:Slavianski Bazaar winners
Category:Ukrainian folk-pop singers
Category:Ukrainian keyboardists
Category:Ukrainian people of Russian descent
Category:Ukrainian pop singers
Category:Ukrainian voice actresses
Category:Ukrainian women conductors (music)
Category:Ukrainian women guitarists
Category:Ukrainian women pianists
Category:Ukrainian women pop singers
Category:Warner Music Group artists