The Ukrainian song "Shchedryk," also known as "Carol of the Bells," by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych is one of the most popular Christmas melodies on the planet.

The debut of "Shchedryk" took place in December 1916 at Kyiv Philharmonic. The choir was led by the famous conductor Oleksandr Koshyts.

In October 1921, American conductor of Ukrainian descent Peter Vilhovsky visited one of the concerts of the Ukrainian Choir Chapel in the USA. In 1936, he wrote the English version of "Shchedryk," which he called "Carol of the Bells." It was first performed in March 1936 in New York at Madison Square Garden during the American Congress of Music Instructors.

The song became a musical symbol of Christmas and a soundtrack for hundreds of movies, TV shows and ads. Today, there are more than 1,000 versions and remakes of "Shchedryk". (I remember a follower sharing they got married to that carol).

📹: "Shchedryk" around the world.