Druha Rika — "We": a new anthem of unity and a UAH 15 million fundraiser for the GUR
On the eve of the anniversary show "I Am! 30 Years", the band unveiled the single "WE" — a song about growing up and collective strength that pairs a cultural premiere with concrete support for the defense ministry.
By Tetiana Suchkova-Ladik
March 6, 2026 · 2 min read
Origin of the track: from personal to collective
The single «WE» was born as a personal reflection of the band's frontman, but quickly turned into a song about collective identity. The inspiration came from lines by Vasyl Symonenko —
"Every 'I' has its own name"
— Vasyl Symonenko
Valeriy Kharchyshyn himself explains that the composition grew out of individual experience and became a story about togetherness:
"When we're together — we are strong"
— Valeriy Kharchyshyn, leader of the band «Druha Rika»
Premiere and social impact
The song will be performed live for the first time on March 8 at the Palace of Sports as part of the anniversary show «I am! 30 years». According to the band, during one of their previous performances listeners joined in performing the track at the moment of its birth — a fact that serves as social proof: the composition has already become a shared emotion for fans.
Charitable dimension: music as an instrument of support
The show has a charitable purpose: together with partners the band is raising UAH 15 million for the HUR (Main Intelligence Directorate) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Part of the ticket proceeds is directed to this initiative — a simple mechanism through which a cultural event becomes a tool for supporting defense capability.
Why this matters
The musical premiere combines several practical interests of the reader: emotional (solidarity and cultural identity), practical (support for a specific fund), and strategic (when public energy is mobilized in support of national security). It is an example of when art serves not only as consolation but also as social infrastructure during a crisis.
What's next
Now the track needs to shift from an episode into a lasting social signal: how it will find its place in playlists, at concerts, and in public actions depends on the audience's reaction and on further initiatives by the band and its partners. Will «WE» become another marker of how culture and volunteering work together to support the country's security?
