AM Interview: Irina Shulgina
When did you fall in love with art?
I am very pleased that we can, by erasing spaces, communicate in a friendly and creative way in a language very close to every person - spiritual poetry and heartfelt MUSIC! Since childhood, I have absorbed the life-giving power of earthly beauty.
Centuries-old pines and firs, shrouded in a misty haze, fiery frying in the clearing, bird choirs in the spring, strawberry glades - all this is about Zheleznogorsk, the city of childhood and youth. It was here that the first poems appeared, and later songs. She sang always and everywhere, because she grew up in a family where music was treated with special respect. Even my great-grandfather, on my mother's side, brought an old lame music from Belarus to Siberia, then there was a button accordion, an accordion, a guitar. And what soulful Angarsk songs were sung by my father's relatives. Holding my breath, I could listen to my mother's button accordion for a long time.
I felt joy and admiration from performing on stage in the Rosinochka folk choir, I remember the case when the head of the choir literally pushed me onto the stage and said: “Sing!” Having performed the song, I ran backstage with tears, but such a stressful situation made me understand that the stage is mine! It was at this moment that I felt a special attraction to creativity, to art! This is how my creative journey began...
In what artistic areas are you active or mostly devoted to?
I am grateful for the opportunity to unite all three hypostases: performer, composer and poet. After all, this is the only way to fully feel the joy of the birth of a full-blooded creation, because there are more than 300 songs composed ... This is a great happiness when, being a conductor, you are saturated with the energy of the universe and, pouring out what has been created into the world, you receive in return a stream of warm words, kind responses and light from spectators and listeners.
What is creativity for you? How do you usually express it?
Creative people of the earth: poets, singers, musicians of the same world outlook, we all have the same values: family, love, native places dear to the heart, saving the planet! And all this makes it possible, with your word or motive, to convey an understanding of this situation, to nourish with a good emotion, or to awaken the soul! I express my creativity through author's concerts, CDs, performances, collections... after all, the desire to express my feelings through songwriting appeared as early as 12 years old! And now the poems and songs have been translated into English, German, French, Chinese, Bulgarian, Urdu. A personal book of poems “The Soul Sings” was published in Germany. I try to feed my soul so that it sings…!
And another very important hypostasis of my work is our family ensemble! Family and music is my life! And this connection is inseparable! It seems to me that creative people feel the connection with their loved ones more sensitively! It's great when a common cause brings the family together! We have a dynasty of musicians and this made it possible for our family ensemble “SISTERS” to appear, of which I am the leader. Most recently, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the family ensemble with a very bright concert program “It's happiness when we are near”!
Here are the lyrics from my song:
Family is a miracle, family is God's light.
Always wish I will have a family for many years! Live prosperously, in joy and in love. You are a holy family, save and save.
And to get acquainted with our folk flavor, the words of my song “Sisters”, which has become the hallmark of our family ensemble “Sisters”!
Ah, sister Alyonushka is good,
Like a song, your girlish soul.
You go, dance at the gate
Let the people cheer up with dancing!
Come on, stomp your heels more, more
Throw a scarlet scarf over your shoulder.
Like wheat in a field, a blond braid,
The clear moon got lost in the hair.
Oh, sister Maryushka is not cheerful,
Why did you hang your head?
Who offended, did not dream, did not recognize,
Didn't you hear your gentle voice?
Kindle a fire in your heart,
A good horse will shake its mane in the yard.
You go, look behind the gate
Yes, meet the distant fellow from the road.
Oh, sisters, dear little sisters,
In the side of the Russian darlings.
Like two drops of fresh morning dew
They unraveled their two blond braids.
Do you have any role-models regarding art and literature?
The model and basis of my creativity is Love! “Love is the song of the soul” - that's why the soul sings! Love stirs the soul, excites and inspires, makes people happy and makes them suffer. Yes, it can be different, but it is impossible to live and create without it! And my songs are like children born in love! Therefore, without a doubt, this magical feeling dominates everything that I do! Love for loved ones, for your work, for your native places, makes a person happy, helps to create and enjoy life!
How would you describe your poetry?
I think that my poetry is special, unique, because it has musical wings! My poems are songs and they come to me as a message from heaven, and that is how I called my author's collection of poems - “Voice from Heaven”! And I am grateful for this gift!
Are you currently working on any art projects?
Of course, as a creative person, I have a lot of ideas! When music lives in every cell of your being, in thoughts, feelings, it fills your consciousness, and then you want to share it.
At the moment, preparations are underway for the 40th anniversary of creative activity and for the presentation of a children's collection of author's songs “We are children of the same river”...
What messages would you like to convey to your audience through art and creativity?
I am always very pleased to share a piece of my soul. hoping that my work will not leave anyone indifferent, and may make you think, shed a tear or smile! And the desire to heal human souls with your songs, like healing music - this is what I have dreamed about since childhood - to be useful to people!
INTERVIEW BY: Ana Stjelja
PHOTO: Irina Shulgina FB
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