Winter (Zyma) by The Nowytski Sisters

Sung by sisters Olenka and Natalie, Winter (Zyma) is an a cappella album of Ukrainian Christmas and New Year carols.

The people of ancient Ukraine were an agrarian society, whose survival was intimately dependent upon the bounty of the land and the forces of nature. The traditions that evolved followed the cycles of life and of the land, emphasizing nature’s elements in the world’s creation and its maintenance. Many of the early pre-Christian songs are creationist in nature, emphasizing the key roles of the sun, moon, and stars (or rain) in agricultural and life cycles. The “three elements” were later adapted into Christian-themed trios, usually identifying the Holy Family at the root of all celebration.

Today, Christian Ukrainians celebrate the Christmas season cycle with a trio of holidays: Sviat Vechir & Rizdvo (the birth of Christ, from Holy Night/Christmas Eve into Christmas Day), the New Year (the Feast Day of Saint Basil the Great into Malanka), and Vodokhreshcha (Epiphany).

The poetic winter songs of Ukraine are called "koliadky" or "koliady (carols) and "shchedrivky" (New Year’s ritual songs) and have a wide range of creationist themes—from agrarian to romantic to religious—all symbolizing the beginning of a fertile life cycle, whether it is the world’s creation, marriage, family, agriculture, or the cycle of Christ’s life on Earth.

In ancient Ukraine, the New Year was celebrated in early spring, when nature awakened and new life cycles began. With the advent of the Christian calendar, many of the early spring rituals were moved back to January to coincide with the celebratory cycle of “new life” surrounding Christmas, New Year, and Epiphany.

This particular collection of songs embraces a spectrum of styles, ranging from traditional folk arrangements to highly arranged versions, with an emphasis on the Christmas music of composer Kyrylo Stetsenko.

We would like to thank:
Our parents, Nadia and Slavko Nowytski, and our grandmother, Oksana Bryn, who made music an integral part of our everyday lives. Our family and friends for their perennial support and encouragement. George Cooley for his remarkable talent, dedication, encouragement, and support of this important project. Oksana Bryn, Ola Herasymenko, Nadia Nowytski, Slavko Nowytski, Tatiana Riabokin, and Orysia Tracz for their tremendous help in translating and encompassing the true meanings, both Christian and pre-Christian, of these traditional Ukrainian songs. Peter Ostroushko for giving us the opportunity to share these songs with a wider audience. The Ukrainian communities of the USA, who have for years prodded us to make this project.

We pay homage to the efforts of the great Ukrainian composers and conductors of the early 20th century, who took the first steps in bringing traditional Ukrainian music from Ukraine’s borders and into the world, including Mykola Leontovych’s “Shchedryk,” now the famous “Carol of the Bells.”

Most of all, we are in awe of those who survived the horrific genocidal assault of the Stalinist era upon the Ukrainian people; those who fled their homeland against all odds and risked their lives to preserve these rare cultural treasures. Those survivors taught us that, as children in a free society, it is our duty to honor and preserve our ancestral language, music, history, and traditionsfrom the threat of extinction over the many decades they were outlawed in Ukraine. We humbly dedicate this album to these survivors—the original protectors of our rich Ukrainian culture.

Additional note from Natalie (December 2025):
When we originally wrote the introduction to this album in 2006, we couldn’t imagine that Ukraine today would again be going through the most heinous attack on its culture and land since World War II. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is now nearly four years in. As the free world—finally seeing what generations of Ukrainians have lived though—watches in disbelief and outrage, they’re also witnessing what the enemy never expected: the fierceness of the Ukrainian spirit. It is this unbending spirit that feeds the richness and vibrance of the Ukrainian culture...and what I hold onto most dearly as we brace for the days ahead.

Classically trained vocalist-turned-folk music geek, influenced by too many genres to list. Award-winning composer & performer. Recording artist & collaborator. Sings in 50+ languages and 12+ distinct vocal styles. This is what happens when she lets her hair down.

natalienmusic.com
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