Solo concert of Sofia Rotaru 70th anniversary. Sofia Rotaru: “If the President of Russia gave me a Russian passport, I would not refuse. From the "kp" archive

She is irresistible!

This year the incomparable singer and charming woman Sofia Rotaru celebrates her seventieth birthday! But you immediately refuse to believe it as soon as you see photographs of this singer. She looks amazing despite her age. Today absolutely everyone knows her, and her compositions are still sung in many countries.

Despite her age, Sofia Rotaru is not shy about unusual outfits. For example, her appearance at the “Heat” festival in Baku recently created a real sensation. Sofia Mikhailovna amazed everyone! According to the artist, preparation for this concert took her more than three months. Concert costumes were created for this show, arrangements were made, and new songs were recorded.

On the eve of the anniversary, the singer decided to leave for Italy with her relatives. She celebrated her birthday in a narrow family circle. It is worth noting that some of them had a hand in her current popularity. The singer’s son helps his star mother not only at home, but also at work. He serves as its concert director.

And the creative director and at the same time the artist’s stylist is her daughter-in-law Svetlana. But the artist’s grandchildren did not follow in the footsteps of the famous grandmother, although this does not negate the fact that they also made their choice in favor creative professions. The granddaughter, for example, is engaged in modeling, and Sofia’s grandson is a fashion photographer.

Sofia Mikhailovna Rotaru turns 70 on August 7, but famous singer clearly doesn't look his age. It seems that she is like good wine- it only gets better over the years.
For for long years the singer sticks to one look: long straight hair parted in the middle.
But Rotaru did not always follow this style. Let's trace the evolution of Sofia Rotaru's appearance. Real success came to the singer in the early 70s. In 1971, she played one of the main roles in the musical film “Chervona Ruta”. At the same time, Rotaru created an ensemble of the same name.

Rotaru gradually becomes a popular singer in the USSR, and soon receives the title of Honored Artist of the Ukrainian SSR, People's Artist Ukrainian SSR and becomes a laureate of the LKSMU Prize named after. N. Ostrovsky.

Almost all of Sofia Mikhailovna’s outfits have ethnic motifs, and her makeup is always spectacular: red lips, wide eyeliner or bright shadows.

In the 80s, the artist began new stage not only in creativity, but also in life. She was “left” from the ensemble, she was losing her voice, but did not give up.

During this period, she appears on stage in typical outfits for that time - dresses embroidered with rhinestones, clothes with voluminous sleeves.

Hairstyle with a backcomb, bright makeup - all this did not go beyond the fashion of the time.

The collapse of the USSR had virtually no effect on Rotaru’s activities - she remained the favorite singer of millions of people.

In the 90s, she often performed songs in Ukrainian, but to see her in national costumes is almost impossible now. Her wardrobe is based on concert costumes with gold embroidery and sequins.

In 2002, the singer lost her life partner - her beloved husband Anatoly Evdokimenko. At that moment she practically falls out of show business.

Upon returning to the stage, she appears in loose dresses decorated with sparkles and sequins and short jackets in various colors.

IN last years Sofia Mikhailovna increasingly prefers trouser suits, but remains faithful to sequins.

The modern image suits the singer best. You can admire the appearance of Rotaru endlessly!

Despite the fact that the singer's birthday falls on August 7, she has already celebrated it at the international music festival“Zhara” together with his sister Aurika, son Ruslan, daughter-in-law Svetlana and granddaughter Sonya.

Over the past few years, the star has rarely appeared on stage, so her appearance at the festival caused a sensation. The guests were delighted with Sofia Mikhailovna: she looked as if she had lost twenty years!

“When I see your smiles, hear your applause, I immediately feel young and cheerful,” the singer commented on her delight. The star delighted fans with her performance of everyone's favorite hits.

“Nobody calls me grandmother,” Rotaru admitted. “My grandchildren say that not a single person believes that I am their grandmother, I look so young.”
The singer considers love to be the secret of her unsurpassed appearance. Love for life, loved ones, viewers - that’s what makes her truly happy.

August 7, the favorite of millions - folk singer Sofia Rotaru celebrates her anniversary! Sofia Mikhailovna will turn 70 - but who can say?! Time has no power over this gorgeous woman!

As befits an artist, Sofia Mikhailovna will celebrate her birthday with an anniversary concert in Baku as part of the “Heat” music festival. Just before the singer’s flight to the capital of Azerbaijan, we managed to ask her a few questions about upcoming event, because the artist’s birthday is a real holiday and for all her fans!

Big concert

Sofia Mikhailovna, tell us what the audience will see in Baku?

Concert dedicated to the anniversary. (Smiles.) Young artists will perform covers of my hits, and I have prepared new versions well famous songs and, of course, the premiere!

In one of your interviews, you said that you want to devote this year to yourself. Will you be able to rest in the near future or will you continue to give concerts, because, as the media write, your concert schedule is already scheduled!

Preparing for anniversary concert took me more than three months. My team and I created concert costumes for this show, made arrangements, and recorded new songs. This is pleasant, but still a hassle. Of course, I will try to find time to relax with my family. Let's go travel. (Smiles).

How do you generally celebrate your birthday? Perhaps you are going to a large family table?

Yes, traditionally we celebrate this day with our family, my relatives prepare pleasant surprises for me. Every year they come up with something new and interesting. (Smiles.)

And only round dates are celebrated magnificently, with concerts and numerous guests.

At the concert in Baku, of course, your fans will congratulate you. What was the most memorable gift you received from them?

The most precious gift from fans of my work is their support and love. When they send congratulations with warm wishes, I am very pleased!

Sofia Mikhailovna, you are an example ideal woman! Share your beauty secrets!

A lot of them! Well, for example, for the last few years, Sveta (Svetlana Evdokimenko - Sofia Mikhailovna’s daughter-in-law - editor’s note) or sister Aurika and I go to a wellness clinic twice a year for two or three weeks, where we adhere to a special diet, actively We play sports and go to various massages.

This helps to cleanse the body, restore strength and clarify thoughts, which, of course, is reflected in appearance. (Smiles.)

The secret of youth

Sofia Mikhailovna, like a true woman, treats her age philosophically. When Katya Osadchaya once asked the singer about the upcoming anniversary, she answered with a smile:

“Well look at me. When I turn 30, then I will celebrate my anniversary!”

Indeed, looking at Sofia Mikhailovna, you involuntarily begin to think that she knows the secret of eternal youth! And the point here is not about material opportunities (which, for example, many other celebrities have, but few look like Rotaru), but about their attitude towards themselves and life.

And also, according to the singer, beautiful appearance she also owes it to her family, who bathe her in love.

They are her rear and reliable support.

Son Ruslan is the singer’s concert producer, daughter-in-law Svetlana is the creative director. The couple gave Sofia Mikhailovna two grandchildren - Anatoly and Sofia, of whom she is very proud.

Young people are the same creative personalities, like their grandmother. Sofia has achieved significant success in modeling business, Anatoly is engaged in fashion photography.

The singer, in her few interviews, likes to recall how once, while still a schoolboy, Tolya came home very sad. “We are trying to find out what happened. And he: “They told me that Sofia Rotaru cannot be my grandmother. Because grandmothers are never that young. But I’m your grandson!”

How nice it was for me to hear such words... I am not afraid of the word “grandmother,” but it so happens that my grandchildren call me by name. They just don’t associate my image with this word...” Sofia Mikhailovna says with a smile.

Sonya-little and Sonya-big

Another forever close person for Sofia Rotaru was her husband, Anatoly Evdokimenko (passed away in 2002 - Ed.)

The story of their acquaintance and relationship is worthy of a book or film adaptation. For the first time, Anatoly saw a young girl Sonya... on the cover of the magazine “Ukraine” (Rotaru was published there as the winner of one of singing competitions). I saw it and fell in love!

But the young man served in the Urals and only upon returning to his native Chernivtsi began searching for the beauty who occupied all his thoughts. Of course he found her! And became a lifelong companion!

Sofia Mikhailovna often recalls that without her Tolya she would not have dared to undertake many musical experiments: he was her advisor, mentor, friend...

Anatoly led the Chervona Ruta ensemble, where young Sonya was a soloist, and later acted as stage director for absolutely all of her concert programs...

Sofia Mikhailovna obeyed him in almost everything, with the exception of... the birth of a child!

“After a year of our marriage, I began to dream of a baby. And she hinted about this to Tolik from time to time,” the singer recalls. - But he made big creative plans and was in no hurry with the child. In addition, we lived with our parents in a 2-room apartment; he had not yet graduated from university. There wasn’t enough money; asking our parents for it was not customary in our family. “Okay, okay,” I think... And somehow I tell him: “Listen, the doctor said that I will soon become a mother.” Although in reality I was not in a position at that moment - I had to go for a small feminine cunning. Tolik shook his head: “Well, good.” He relaxed, let down his guard and began to wait for the heir to be born.”

But he had to wait not nine months, but eleven, because Sonya became pregnant only two months after that conversation. Their son Ruslan was born in 1970.

Sofia ROTARU - Water is Alive 1976

“Now I believe that I did everything right,” Rotaru admits to the press. “Then I simply wouldn’t have time - these endless tours would begin... Although my mother kept asking me to give birth again: “Daughter, just give birth and continue working, and we will raise a second one.”

She also said: “You will really regret that you only have one child.” And I really regret it.

Therefore, when Tolya was born to Ruslan and Sveta, after a couple of years I already started pestering them to give birth again, and they did it seven years later.

I remember that little Tolya reported that Sveta was pregnant for the second time. He came and showed me a piece of paper - probably an extract from the antenatal clinic. He says: “Here, take it, you wanted it! I will have a brother or sister." And all I said was: “Glory to you, Lord.”

By the way, we were sure that a girl would be born the second time. And with the choice of name, everything was clear: the son and daughter-in-law immediately thought of naming their son Tolik in honor of their grandfathers (Svetlana’s father is also Anatoly), and the girl in my honor. And so that there is no confusion, at home they call me Sonya the big one, and my granddaughter - Sonya the little one. Although recently little Sonya has been taller than big Sonya..."

This is how the Rotaru-Evdokimenko family lives: with love for each other and a great passion for music.

And we would like to wish Sofia Mikhailovna many more anniversaries: her talent, femininity and wisdom serve as an inspiration for millions of people!

Just the facts:

• The singer was born on August 7, but due to a mistake by the passport officer, her date of birth was recorded as August 9. So the singer celebrates her birthday twice.
• Sofia Rotaru has two brothers and three sisters. They all sing very well. Little Sonya was instilled with a love of music by her older sister Zina.
• Sofia Rotaru's repertoire includes more than 500 songs, including compositions in Russian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Polish, German, Italian, Spanish and English.
• She was the first of Soviet singers, who sang in recitative.
• In 2000, the Supreme Academic Council of Ukraine recognized Sofia Mikhailovna as the best Ukrainian pop singer XX century. Among her other titles are “Man of the 20th Century”, “Golden Voice of Ukraine”, “Woman of the Year”.

Congratulations from loved ones

Svetlana Evdokimenko, daughter-in-law:

Every birthday of Sofia Mikhailovna is a real holiday for us. We try to get together on this day. What can we say about the anniversary: ​​we will definitely get together with the whole family. Anatoly will fly in from London, Sofia - from Paris, and we'll go fishing! Sofia Mikhailovna is a wonderful mother-in-law! I am inspired by her determination, ability to enjoy little things, respect people, value sincerity and friendship. And also a subtle sense of humor and boundless kindness of soul!

Ruslan Evdokimenko, son:

I would like to wish my mother good health, peace of mind and real friends! We love her very much! And I am grateful to her for everything! She is very strong man, and I’m glad that many of her character traits were passed on to me. For example, sincerity and kindness. She is a monogamist, she has loved and continues to love only my dad, Anatoly Kirillovich, all her life. Family is the main thing for her. I learned this from her and try to set the same example for my children.

Ruslan Kvinta, composer:

I think I pulled it happy ticket, when I met Sofia Mikhailovna Rotaru. This artist radically changed my work, interest in me increased significantly. There have been many bright moments and stages in my career, but this one is probably the most significant. It was a great honor for me when she took part in my benefit concert “The Sky is Me.” Working with her is a pleasure. I wrote 29 songs for her. It happened that I came to work at her house, and each time she first fed everyone, and only then went on to work. She even brought her signature cheesecakes to the recording studio!

If geographically and politically Soviet Union has been dead for a long time, then in pop culture it continues to exist as if nothing had happened - in the person of such figures as, who recently celebrated her 80th birthday, or Sofia, who turns 70 on August 7.

In only one biographical information about Rotaru, it seems, the whole history of the country - she was born in the village of Marshantsy in the Chernivtsi region of Ukraine in a Moldavian family; In the early 90s, there was a joke that during the negotiations in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, the leaders of Russia and Ukraine asked themselves the question “how will we divide Rotaru.”

Her career began to develop at a time when Soviet ideologists finally allowed the flowers of national cultures to bloom.

Seventies

Many believe that Rotaru’s fame began to really accelerate with the musical film “Chervona Ruta” of 1971, in which Rotaru played main role and the name of which she then took for her ensemble. In fact, the Festival of Youth and Students, held in Bulgaria three years earlier, can also compete for the title of the launching pad of her career - she won there gold medal, performing songs in Ukrainian and Romanian.

And the first success came ten years earlier and consisted of many stages - regional, then republican competitions amateur performances, conducting and choir department of the Chernivtsi Music College, due to the lack of vocal department.

Photo report: Sofia Rotaru was admitted to intensive care

Is_photorep_included10821205: 1

The key to Rotaru’s success was a clear and even in the best sense words a calculated mixture of national and cosmopolitan repertoires: so, from the very beginning creative activity continued to collaborate with composer Vladimir Ivasyuk from Lvov, but at the same time sang songs by Arno Babajanyan and Vladimir Matetsky; Other poets who need no introduction also wrote texts for them. And it’s not just that cooperation with high caste Soviet pop composition and poetry workshop served as a pass to the big stage.

Such omnivorousness allowed her to organically weave songs from the Soviet outskirts into different languages into your program and skillfully use - at least the declarative - course Soviet authorities to support national cultures.

And thus everyone likes it: both Mosconcert officials and residents Russian capitals, and to his fellow countrymen on both sides of the Ukrainian-Moldovan border.

It’s interesting that the singer, seemingly favored by the authorities, had her share of disgrace in her career. More precisely, it worked out - in 1975, she had a conflict with the local Chernivtsi regional committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine, and therefore she and her ensemble moved to Yalta. Nothing definite is known about its causes until now - Rotaru herself said that she moved to Crimea due to the onset of asthma. Possible reason there was an increased share of the repertoire in Ukrainian and collaboration with authors from Western Ukraine. It is interesting that the shake-up and stress gave new impetus to her career: the singer’s records (first long-players) began to be released by the Melodiya company, and she herself was invited to Munich to record a disc at the Ariola company. Then she had a large-scale tour of Western and Eastern Europe.

Eighties

The decade of transition from stagnation to perestroika became the peak of her career - it was at this moment that, with the help of radio and television, she became a constant presence in life of the country, coming to almost every house and sounding from every window. And the trigger for this popularity, again, as in the case of “Chervona Ruta,” was cinema—more precisely, two films with her songs and participation. In 1980, “Where Are You, Love?” was released, a kind of adaptation of the plot of “Come Tomorrow” to more modern realities. The picture was quite autobiographical - in it, a young girl came to an amateur song competition with a composition by Raymond Pauls, the same name as the film, and left as its main triumph.

The film turned out to be mega-popular - Melodiya released a record with songs from the film, and the whole country sang songs based on poems by the best Soviet poets.

A year later, another picture was released - “Soul”, an autobiographical melodrama about the singer’s loss of her voice and reassessment of values. The participants of “Time Machine” starred in it as musicians, the songs were written by and, and Rotaru’s partner was who was then at the peak of popularity. The second picture completed the formation of a personal mythology around her, and her triumphant tour in Canada gave her the status of a real export star, in the language of trade, suitable for both domestic consumption and export.

However, it seems that it was this stardom and this status that became the reason for the actual second disgrace - she was prohibited from foreign tours (for which there were more and more requests).

It got to the point of being funny - representatives of a German concert agency once received a paper in response to an invitation: “This kind of person doesn’t work here.”

Nevertheless, Rotaru actively participated in “ Songs of the year”, continued to collaborate both with top Russian-language authors and with Moldovan poets - for example, Gheorghe Vieru, who wrote the songs “Romantica” and “Melancolie” for her. However, it ended - it was a failure, it must be admitted - it fell into disgrace only with the beginning of perestroika.

A turning point in this sense can be considered the beginning of collaboration with Vladimir Matetsky, which entailed (or, conversely, was the reason) for a change in image - instead of a chansonnier with folk roots, Rotaru turned into a disco and rock vocalist. More precisely, she was still an ideal opponent for the rock musicians of the Leningrad Rock Club and the Moscow Rock Laboratory, however, starting with the quite romantic “Lavender”, she eventually began to perform fast things - the very ones for which she is still remembered por: “Moon, moon”, “It was, but it’s gone”, “Only this is not enough.” The latter was a completely bold experiment - a poem full of nostalgic sadness was turned by Matetsky into a real rock action movie. They worked together for 15 long years - until the end of those very 90s, when honored artists were decisively scrapped, and new ones were nominated in their place.

Nineties - today

Moreover, it is worth noting that Rotaru never became an archival star - like the generation of pop stars generation older, who retired quietly and with dignity, into teaching and “Old songs about the main thing.”

She, who started her career path with the help of her mother, a trader at the collective farm market, she had some amazing, as they say these days, marketing sense: some amazingly V the right moments time, she guessed the situation and the time when she needed to change her image or do something new.

So, for example, it was she who at one time - back in the early 90s - noticed a trend among new pop stars to perform with backup dancers and invited the then not very famous troupe "Todes" to perform with her.

The head of the dance theater, Alla Dukhova, said that these concerts were the first step towards the future fame of the dance troupe.

At the same time, she is not at all characterized by a passion for continuous updating and oblivion of the old repertoire - she did not shy away from anniversaries, nostalgic reissues, etc. In 2012-2013, she launched a big anniversary tour dedicated to the 40th anniversary of her creative activity. Rather, on the contrary - carefully and tightly mixing old hits with new ones, she presented her songs as part of one, never interrupted (and, by and large, not influenced by time) process. Moreover, it seems that in her case this is not a concept, but a philosophy - because both her biography and her statements indicate that for her this is a way of life.

Another feature of her philosophy remains her political position. Although it would be more correct to say humanitarian - a Kiev resident by registration and a Yalta resident by actual place of residence, in 2004 she distributed food on the Maidan to representatives of both opposing camps.

And later, in the wake of the great advent of Ukrainian musicians into politics, she even tried to run for the Rada from the Lytvyn bloc. At the same time, at the present time, it refrains in every possible way from any involvement in the foul-smelling Russian-Ukrainian propaganda wars, causing suffering to both peoples: after the annexation of Crimea, it did not accept Russian citizenship(according to her, due to registration in Kyiv) and especially noted that she is a citizen of Ukraine.

At the same time, in fact, she and her songs remain part of the life of divided citizens of a once united country.

Informals of the 80s considered her songs an example of Soviet pop officialdom - now they sound like last memory about that utopia of the unity of the country and the friendship of peoples, to which the Soviet Union at least tried to get closer and the final collapse of which we are witnessing now. And that is why there is a risk that many leaders of the countries sharing this singer will remain small politicians era of Sofia Rotaru.

icon Soviet stage, which has retained its status practically unchanged at the present time. "Gazeta.Ru" - about the reasons for its success.

If geographically and politically the Soviet Union has long been dead,

then in pop culture it continues to exist as if in nothing

happened - in the person of such figures as Edita Piekha, who recently noted

80th anniversary,

In biographical information about Rotaru alone, it seems

the whole history of the country - born in the village of Marshantsy in the Chernivtsi region of Ukraine in a Moldavian family; in the early 90s there was a joke,

that at the negotiations in Belovezhskaya Pushcha the leaders of Russia and Ukraine

We asked ourselves “how are we going to divide Rotaru.”

Her career began to develop at a time when Soviet ideologists finally allowed the flowers of national cultures to flourish.

Seventies

Many believe that Rotaru’s fame began to really accelerate with the musical film “Chervona Ruta” of 1971, in which Rotaru played the main role and the name of which was then taken by her

for your ensemble.

In fact, for the title of the runway of her career may

argue and the Festival of Youth and Students held in Bulgaria

three years earlier, she won a gold medal there, performing songs in Ukrainian and Romanian.

And the first success came ten years earlier and consisted of

many levels - regional, then republican amateur art competitions, conducting and choral department of the Chernivtsi music school, in the absence of a vocal one.

Is Source: Ekaterina Chesnokova/RIA Novosti

2017 Sofia Rotaru performs at the international music festival "ZHARA" in Baku

The key to Rotaru’s success was a clear and even in the best sense of the word, a calculated mixture of national and cosmopolitan

repertoires: for example, from the very beginning of her creative activity she continued to collaborate with composer Vladimir Ivasyuk

from Lvov, but at the same time she sang songs by Arno Babajanyan, David Tukhmanov, Yuri Saulsky, Raymond Pauls, Vladimir

Matetsky; texts for them were written by Robert Rozhdestvensky, Andrei Voznesensky and other poets who need no introduction.

And it’s not just that cooperation with the upper caste

Soviet pop composition and poetry workshop served

pass to the big stage.

Such omnivorousness allowed her to organically weave songs from the Soviet outskirts in different languages ​​into her program and skillfully use -

at least declaratively - the course of the Soviet authorities to support national cultures.

And thus everyone pleases: both Mosconcert officials and

residents of Russian capitals, and their fellow countrymen on both sides

Ukrainian-Moldovan border.

It’s interesting that the singer, seemingly favored by the authorities, had her share of disgrace in her career.

More precisely, it worked out - in 1975, she had a conflict with the local Chernivtsi regional committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine, in connection with which she and her

The ensemble moved to Yalta.

Nothing definite is known about its causes so far -

Rotaru herself said that she moved to Crimea due to

open asthma. A possible reason was increased

share of the repertoire in Ukrainian and cooperation with authors

from Western Ukraine.

It is interesting that the shake-up and stress gave new impetus to her career: the singer’s records (first long-players) began to be released by the Melodiya company, and she herself was invited to Munich to record a disc

at the Ariola company. Then she had a large-scale tour of Western and Eastern Europe.

Eighties

The decade of transition from stagnation to perestroika became for her

the peak of her career - it was at this moment that, with the help of radio and television, she became a constant presence in the life of the country,

coming to almost every house and sounding from every window.

And the trigger for this popularity is again, as in the case of

"Chervona Ruta" became a movie - more precisely, two films with her songs

and participation. In 1980, “Where Are You, Love?” was released, a kind of

adaptation of the plot of “Come Tomorrow” to more modern ones

realities.

The picture was quite autobiographical - in it a young girl came to an amateur song competition with a composition

Raymond Pauls, the same name of the film, and left as its main triumph.

The picture turned out to be mega-popular - “Melody” released

a record with songs from the film, and songs based on poems by the best Soviet

the whole country sang poets.

A year later, another picture was released - “Soul”, an autobiographical melodrama about the singer’s loss of her voice and reassessment of values.

The participants of “The Time Machine” starred in the role of musicians.

the songs were written by Andrey Makarevich and Alexander Zatsepin, and

Rotaru’s partner was who was then at the peak of popularity

Mikhail Boyarsky.

The second picture completed the formation of personal mythology

around her, and triumphant tours in Canada - the status

a real export star, in trade terms, suitable for both domestic consumption and export.

However, it seems that it was this stardom and this status that became

the reason for the actual second disgrace - she was prohibited by foreign

tours (for which there were more and more requests).

It got to the point of being funny - representatives of a German concert agency once received a paper in response to an invitation:

“That kind of thing doesn’t work here.”

Nevertheless, Rotaru actively participated in “Songs of the Year”,

continued cooperation with both top Russian-speaking

However, it ended - it was a failure, it must be admitted - it fell into disgrace only with the beginning of perestroika.

A turning point in this sense can be recognized as the beginning of collaboration with Vladimir Matetsky, which entailed (or, conversely, was the reason) for a change in image - instead of a chansonnier with folk roots, Rotaru turned into a disco and

rock vocalist. More precisely, she has been the ideal opponent so far

for rock musicians of the Leningrad Rock Club and the Moscow Rock Laboratory, however, starting with the quite romantic “Lavender”,

Over time, she began to perform fast things - the same ones

by which she is still remembered: “Moon, moon”, “It was, but it’s gone”,

“Only this is not enough.”

The latter was a very bold experiment - complete

The nostalgic sadness of Arseny Tarkovsky’s poem was turned by Matetsky into a real rock action movie.

They worked together for 15 long years - until the end of those very 90s,

which the honored artists were decisively scrapped, and new ones were nominated in their place.

Nineties - today

Moreover, it is worth noting that Rotaru never became archival

a star - like a generation of pop stars a generation older,

quietly and with dignity retired into teaching and

"Old songs about the main thing."

She, who began her career with the help of her mother, a trader at the collective farm market, had some amazing, as they say

these days, with marketing sense: in some amazing way

at the right moments in time she guessed the situation and the time when she needed to change her image or do something new.

So, for example, it was she who at one time - back in the early 90s -

I noticed a trend among new pop stars to perform with backup dancers

and invited the then not very famous troupe “Todes” to perform

together with her.

The head of the dance theater, Alla Dukhova, said that these concerts were the first step towards the future fame of the dance troupe.

At the same time, she is not at all characterized by a passion for continuous

renewal and oblivion of the old repertoire - she did not shy away from anniversaries, nostalgic reissues, etc. In 2012-2013, she launched a big anniversary tour dedicated to the 40th anniversary of her creative activity.

Rather, on the contrary - carefully and tightly mixing old hits with new ones, she presented her songs as part of one, never interrupted (and, by and large, not influenced by time) process.

Moreover, it seems that in her case this is not a concept, but a philosophy - because both her biography and her statements indicate that for her this is a way of life.

Another feature of her philosophy remains her political position. Although it would be more correct to say humanitarian - a Kiev resident by registration and a Yalta resident by actual place of residence, in 2004 she distributed food on the Maidan to representatives of both opposing camps.

And later, in the wake of the great entry of Ukrainian musicians into politics, she even tried to run for the Rada from the Lytvyn bloc: after the annexation of Crimea, she did not accept Russian citizenship (according to her, because of registration in Kyiv) and specifically noted that she was a citizen of Ukraine.

At the same time, in fact, she and her songs remain part of the life of divided citizens of a once united country.

Informals of the 80s considered her songs an example of Soviet pop officialdom - but now they sound like the last memory of that utopia of the country’s unity and friendship of peoples, which the Soviet Union at least tried to approach and the final collapse of which we are witnessing now.

And that is why there is a risk that many leaders of countries sharing this singer will remain minor political figures of the era of Sofia Rotaru.