Artem Pivovarov: From War-Torn Vovchansk to North American Stages — Bringing Ukraine’s Voice to the World

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Aug 20

Written By Jonathan P. Moustakas

Artem Pivovarov **via Ponies And Bridges**

Ukraine’s most powerful modern voice transforms grief, resilience, and history into anthems for a nation — now bringing them to New York, Toronto, and beyond.

Ukraine’s voice on the global stage has rarely felt more urgent, and few embody that urgency like Artem Pivovarov. His rise from local acclaim to international spotlight has been fueled not by industry machinery but by the lived reality of war, resilience, and cultural preservation. As he prepares to bring his ORCHESTRA LIVE tour across North America, Pivovarov is not simply performing — he is carrying the memory of his destroyed hometown, the words of Ukraine’s greatest poets, and the spirit of a people who refuse to be silenced.

A Voice Forged in Crisis

When Artem Pivovarov steps on stage this fall in New York, Toronto, and across North America, it won’t just be another tour date — it will be the continuation of a mission that began in the ashes of his hometown. The singer, songwriter, and cultural ambassador has emerged as one of Ukraine’s defining artistic forces, blending music and message to ensure his country’s story reaches the world.

Pivovarov was born in Vovchansk, a small city in the Kharkiv region. On the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, it was occupied. For nearly a year, his mother and grandmother lived under that occupation. Today, Vovchansk is largely destroyed. His childhood home, and much of the community that shaped him, no longer exists.

Yet, from this loss emerged a stronger sense of purpose. “I have a mission I must carry — both in Ukraine and beyond its borders,” he says. “I aim to show the strength of our people — the power of unity. To preserve our rich history. To give our people support.”

Music as Resistance

For Pivovarov, art has become a form of resistance. The war didn’t just change the way he sees the world — it changed the way he creates. “The war has made me look beneath the surface of every situation. My music has become deeper. I try to see beyond the ordinary and explore the pain and resilience that define us today.”

At the same time, performing abroad has given him a wider perspective on his role. “At my concerts, I share and promote Ukrainian culture,” Pivovarov explains. “This feels especially important now, as we fight for our right to exist and protect our values. Performing abroad helps draw attention to Ukraine. As artists, we are the voices of our country, and it’s our job to share important messages with the world.”

His voice, rich and emotive, carries a weight that feels both intimate and universal. Whether performing in Kyiv under the threat of air raid sirens or on an international stage, he treats each performance as a statement: Ukraine is alive, and so is its culture.

Preserving a Nation’s Poetic Legacy

In April 2021, Pivovarov launched Твої вірші, мої ноти (Your Poems, My Notes), a project that sets the works of iconic Ukrainian poets — from Taras Shevchenko to Lesya Ukrainka — to contemporary music. This initiative bridges generations, reviving the voices of Ukraine’s literary giants for a modern audience.

“The goal of Your Poems, My Notes is to promote Ukrainian culture through music,” he says. “It’s a way for me to share our poetry and modern Ukrainian songs with the world. The project has become popular far beyond Ukraine. I see this in the reaction videos and comments from people in different countries.”

By marrying literature and melody, Pivovarov ensures that Ukraine’s cultural memory doesn’t just survive, but thrives. In doing so, he has created something rare: a body of work that feels both rooted in history and urgently present.

Performing Through the Fire

Pivovarov’s commitment to his audience has taken him to front-line towns, recently liberated areas, and global stages. Soon after the full-scale invasion began, he and his team performed for Ukrainian soldiers. Those moments remain etched in his memory. “I feel a strong need to support the soldiers who are protecting our country. Those meetings with the military always stay in my heart. They give me strength and remind me why I do what I do.”

Last year, he performed live during the Usyk vs. Tyson Fury heavyweight title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, singing traditional and original songs for an audience of over 20 million viewers worldwide. It was a moment that fused sport, spectacle, and cultural defiance.

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To date, he has played more than 500 concerts around the globe and amassed over 1.2 billion views on YouTube. In 2023, he became the first Ukrainian artist to sell out Kyiv’s Palace of Sports for three consecutive nights — an achievement made even more remarkable by the constant threat of missile strikes. Those shows, titled Loyalty, Resilience, Dignity, drew 30,000 fans determined to celebrate life and art despite the danger.

“Even as rockets flew, we chose to live, create, and stand strong,”

— Artem Pivovarov

A Message for the World

Whether addressing a crowd of thousands or speaking in interviews, Pivovarov’s message is consistent: art can outlast war. “Imagine this: one day, a madman decides to take your country — and your home is gone. You’ll never walk your childhood streets again. This is the reality for millions of Ukrainians,” he says.

By taking his music abroad, he transforms personal tragedy into a shared human story — one that transcends borders and politics.

“As long as Ukrainian music plays — Ukraine lives. My city lives. My people live. And I will keep telling our story.”

— Artem Pivovarov

ORCHESTRA LIVE: A New Chapter

This fall, Pivovarov’s ORCHESTRA LIVE tour will bring his voice, band, and an orchestral ensemble to North American audiences in an unprecedented format. The tour stops at iconic venues like Brooklyn Steel in New York (Sept. 14) and Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto (Sept. 18), along with Miami, Chicago, Edmonton, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

For Pivovarov, this isn’t just a chance to play to new crowds — it’s an opportunity to build cultural bridges. Each performance blends contemporary pop, Ukrainian folk influences, and symphonic arrangements, creating a soundscape that’s both epic and deeply personal.

More Than a Concert

To watch Pivovarov live is to witness a fusion of music, storytelling, and advocacy. He commands the stage with a mix of urgency and vulnerability, inviting audiences not just to listen, but to participate in the act of cultural preservation.

“Our concerts are a powerful exchange of energy,” he says. “It’s a time for people to feel emotions, let things go, and recharge. I hope that after our concerts, people will feel more connected to Ukraine and become more interested in Ukrainian culture.”

In a time when Ukraine’s future feels uncertain, Pivovarov offers a glimpse of its enduring spirit. His concerts are celebrations — of survival, of artistry, and of the unbreakable thread between a homeland and its people.