In December 2023, a Ukrainian-language programme was launched in Manchester on ALL FM 96.9. It is currently the only programme in the UK that is broadcast on the waves of the radio rather than online. It is hosted by Anatoliy Shalayev, a former TV presenter who evacuated to the UK with his family. The programme is called ‘Razom/Together’, and its main goal is to promote Ukrainian culture, and tell about Ukrainians living in the United Kingdom, their projects, traditions, and celebrations.
Anatoliy worked as a TV presenter and journalist in Ukraine and published his own newspaper. Even though radio is a completely new format for him, when the head of the ALL FM radio studio, Ed Connell, approached him with the idea of creating a Ukrainian-language programme, he decided it would be interesting… and agreed.
‘The radio on which my programme is broadcast is a community radio; that is, public radio, owned by the city and the community. In fact, it is a volunteer project. I met its manager by chance, thanks to my son Taras, who played the bandura, a Ukrainian traditional music instrument, and was once invited to appear on the radio. When Ed offered me a chance to try out for the role of TV presenter, I said yes. First, I came to the studio, where I was quickly shown and told everything about radio and how it works, and then I invited our Ukrainian priest Taras Khomych to visit. I thought I would not be allowed to go on air until I had learnt everything, and then I was told to go live. I had to come up with something quickly. Since it was December, I decided to choose the theme of Christmas and traditions, the new church calendar and, of course, Ukrainian carols. It turned out quite well, but I think I was taking a radio presenter course extremely quickly at the time.”
programmes have been broadcast since then, going on air twice a month, every second Tuesday at 16:00. The programme’s guests have included Ukrainian famous people, for example, Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, the ‘Pianoboy’, a team from the United for Ukraine organisation ‘Opora’, the band ‘Druha Rika’. Oksana Mergut is an artist who works in the genre of sand animation, and others. We also recently gave away two tickets to a concert by the music band “The Hardkiss”.
‘Often, programmes are dedicated to important dates, such as the Holodomor, the thousandth day since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. In May this year, we released a programme dedicated to Mother’s Day. In the last programme, we talked about Ukrainian cuisine, book publishing and a great idea to publish a collection of Ukrainian recipes in English.’
‘In general, I really like to talk to smart and passionate people, I am sincerely interested in their projects and ideas, and I am always happy to hear something new. But the most significant thing for me is to promote everything Ukrainian on live radio in the UK: culture, song, traditions, to give advice, to talk about successful and talented Ukrainians in all fields, whether it’s culture, social activities or business. Otherwise, this programme would not exist.’
Last month, the Ukrainian programme Razom was shortlisted for a journalism award at the UK Community Radio Awards, as the programme with the greatest impact on the community in the UK. In return, ALL FM 96.9, on which the programme is broadcast, was recognised as the best community radio in the UK.
Anatoliy shares that since the radio programme started, there have been various responses and reactions from people – some are surprised that English radio ‘speaks’ Ukrainian. Sometimes they ask to say hello or congratulate someone on the radio on their birthday. Others write that they have developed a habit of turning on the radio on Tuesdays either at work or in the car and listening to Ukrainian language and songs. However, one story is most memorable:
‘Once, after a broadcast dedicated to Mother’s Day, one of our listeners sent me a photo of her mother listening to my programme. It was about the holiday and the difficult fate of Ukrainian women who were forced to leave their homes because of the war in Ukraine. The song “Mum” by Scriabin was playing on the air. It was so touching that I thought: people really need such a programme, and it’s worth working for it.’
Also, in the short time it has been running, the programme has already developed its own traditions.
‘We have a flag in the studio that is half Ukrainian and half British, and all the guests leave their autographs on it. After a year, there was no space left there, so I guess I’ll have to buy another flag to continue the tradition. In addition, I try to play live Ukrainian music on my show, and sometimes guests come with musical instruments to showcase their talents”
Author — Rostyslava Martyniuk
Editor of Ukrainian language — Anastasia Zanuzdanova
Editor of the English language — Helen Lewis
Leave a Reply