Scottish Maritime Museum announces international maritime concert

Daily Record

9 hours ago

Zawisza Czarny, sea shanty choir from Poland and the Glasgow-based Solo Way Ukrainian Choir will celebrate the seafaring and folk traditions that unite countries across the world
The Scottish Maritime Museum is "delighted" to announce that Zawisza Czarny, which is believed to be the largest male sea shanty choir from Poland and only crew of singing sailors in the world, and the all-female Glasgow-based Solo Way Ukrainian Choir will join together for an international maritime concert.
The 'Echoes from the Deep' concert will take place on Friday, June 27 at 7.30pm in the museum's glass roofed Linthouse building on Irvine Harbourside.
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This is the second time that Zawisza Czarny has performed at the Scottish Maritime Museum with the generous support of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh.
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Once a year, 50 'singing sailors' and crew members aged 20 to 88 years of age, board the 1952 three-masted staysail schooner Zawisza Czarny and sail to European ports to promote maritime traditions by performing as sailors would have aboard the great sailing ships of old.
The choir performs classical shanties as they would have been sung whilst working on deck, with the division of vocal parts between shantyman and sailors. They also perform instrumental pieces which would have been played below deck during leisure time along with ceremonial songs and contemporary maritime folk.
As well as promoting maritime heritage and building international relationships, Zawisza Czarny commemorates important events in the history of Polish naval and civilian shipping. This year, they mark the MS Piłsudski , a Polish troop carrier lost to enemy action off the UK coast in 1939.
The Solo Way Ukrainian Choir was formed by Bozhena Yakymenko in November 2022. The choir was born from her desire to bring comfort through song to Ukrainian women who found refuge in Scotland after the Russian invasion.
Under the expert direction of Bozhena, who is a gifted bandura player and musician, the choir has quickly built a diverse and rich repertoire of over thirty songs. These range from the heartfelt melodies of traditional Ukrainian folk tunes, carrying generations of musical heritage, to vibrant contemporary hits, including popular Eurovision songs.
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Today, Solo Way Ukrainian Choir is a powerful voice of resilience and hope and the group performs at charity concerts and commemorative events, using music to bridge cultures and heal hearts.
Eva Bukowska, Exhibitions and Events Officer at the Scottish Maritime Museum, said: "Don't miss this rare opportunity to experience authentic maritime and folk music performed by two choirs whose stories embody the spirit of international friendship and the enduring power of song to connect us across cultures and seas.
"From the haunting calls of traditional shanties that once echoed across ship decks to the powerful harmonies that sustained sailors through long voyages, Zawisza Czarny promises to transport everyone back to the golden age of sail.
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"Their songs also perfectly complement our collection of maritime heritage and the setting of the Linthouse building, which was once a shipyard engine shed in Govan.
"The Solo Way Ukrainian Choir is named after the Ukrainian word for nightingale - 'solovey' – a cherished bird which symbolises hope and pure, beautiful singing in Ukrainian culture and that's a perfect reflection of the choir's spirit.
"Born from resilience and a shared heritage, the choir is a truly unique and inspiring ensemble.
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"Altogether, this evening of music and song with Zawisza Czarny and Solo Way Ukrainian Choir promises to be unforgettable and early booking is highly recommended!"
Tickets priced £16.50 are available on the museum's website here.