Singer songwriter The Gleeman has announced a Christmas single release, ‘I Love Christmastime’ to keep the focus of the world’s eye on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the impact it continues to have on the children of the war-torn country. The single is raising awareness for the charity War Child and will be released on Friday 1st December 2023.
With the likes of Mariah Carey, The Pogues, The Beatles and Ed Sheeran, amongst many others all racing for the Christmas number one spot, The Gleeman’s heart felt and poignant offering sends out a powerful message.
Music has historically been known to bring togetherness in times of displacement and conflict. In the past, Christmas songs such as Christmas 1914 by Mike Harding and Paul McCartney’s ‘Pipes of Peace’, all delivered a Christmas sentiment and poignant message. Music is a constant source of comfort for many, a safe place of escapism in a turbulent world. Christmas for Ukrainians, despite their devastating war-torn environment, is still an essential and important date for them to celebrate, particularly for children. This year for the first time in its history, Ukraine will celebrate Christmas day on the 25th December.
War Child received the track a few months ago and loved the song, which has been written from the perspective of a child, as The Gleeman crafts lyrics remembering the joys and magic of the Christmases gone-by. A gifted musician and storyteller, The Gleeman with the support of War Child was motivated to release the single to keep the plight of children in Kyiv and Ukraine at the front of people’s minds.
War Child’s connections with the music industry run back decades but their dedication to children in war torn areas is so important. War Child has been working to support those on the frontline in Ukraine since the conflict began in February 2022. Working to provide critical training for child-centred humanitarian responses, whilst also working in the neighbouring territories people are being forced to flee to. In 2023, War Child’s programmes will focus on early childhood development and mainstreaming Mental Health and Psychosocial Support within education
Jim Benner of War Child comments:
“War Child is very happy that The Gleeman is donating proceeds from “I Love Christmastime” which will raise awareness for and support our vital work with children in Ukraine and war zones across the globe. Written from the viewpoint of a child, the song reminds us of the innocence of youth. No child ever started a war, but they are innocent victims. The holiday season should be a peaceful and joyful time for children and families and we welcome this song of warmth and safety for children and grown-ups everywhere.”
The song features the Kyiv based Shchedryk Children’s Choir, who recorded their parts in Ukraine at the end of November. The Gleeman had heard of the Shchedryk Choir after they performed in New York at Carnegie Hall last December to amazing reviews. With so many people leaving the country over the past 18 months he was looking for a choir that firstly still existed in Ukraine and one that would want to connect overseas. So many recording studios now lay empty in Ukraine with many producers and recording artists fleeing the country to safer lands. The song was recorded in one of the few remaining studios that is still structurally sound and has remained undamaged.
In addition, to also raise awareness of those children directly impacted in the Ukraine, The Gleeman also wanted to highlight the impact on the displacement of families (something that can be more acutely felt at Christmastime). He reached out to Yevheniia Diachenko, a Ukrainian refugee herself who runs Cherwell College Choir based in Oxford. The choir was formed in January 2023 to unite Ukrainian refugee children arriving in the UK.
The Cherwell choir children were recorded recently at Evolution studios in Oxford for the single. The behind-the-scenes music video features legendary broadcaster Bob Harris OBE who interviewed The Gleeman and the children as part of the video narrative.
The Gleeman also contacted St Mary’s Ukrainian School Choir from London. They also feature on the single, with a solo by 10-year-old Sofia Fedyna from Lviv in Ukraine.
Sofia comments:
“I love Christmas the most. In my house in Ukraine, it was always fun with carols. I miss it”.
No strangers to the spotlight the children from St Mary’s Ukrainian School Choir have previously taken part at the request of the Princess Of Wales in her carol service last year at Westminster Abbey. For the children, singing and taking part in the choir has helped make them feel like they were not alone.