Volodymyr Kudryavtsev
Throughout his career, he collaborated with many famous composers, including O. Zuev, I. Shamo, O. Bilash, M. Mozgovy, O. Semenova, E. Martynov, and V. Ivasyuk.
Other well-known songs included “A My u Dvoh,” “Zapytay u Serdsya,” “Shovkova Kosytsya,” “Povir Ocham,”[4] and “Sche ne Vechir.” Volodymyr’s songs were performed by artists such as Nazariy Yaremchuk, Vasyl Zinkevych, Sofia Rotaru, Liliya Sandulesa, Lina Prohorova, Radmila Karaklajich, Evgen Martynov, Viktor Shportko, Ala Kudlay, and Nadiya Chepraga, as well as popular Ukrainian bands like “Kobza,” “Vodogray,” “Charivni Gitary,” “Plamya,” and “Kalyna.” Volodymyr Kudryavtsev's achievements were recognized by the Ukrainian government: he was awarded the title of “Honored Artist of Ukraine” and received a Presidential Honorary Certificate “for his personal contribution to the development of the Ukrainian state and the strengthening of its independence.” Kudryavtsev was born in the village of Synelnykove in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
He also began teaching at the Kyiv School of Culture but was dismissed shortly afterward due to accusations of anti-Soviet propaganda.
Partnerships with authors such as Pavlo Dvorsky, Olexander Zuev, Borys Monastyrsky, Olexander Bilash, Igor Shamo, Mykola Mozgovy, Olexiy Semenov, Volodymyr Yartsev, Volodymyr Ivasyuk, Levko Dutkovsky, Stepan Sabadash, and Ivan Golyak resulted in numerous hits.
Volodymyr's songs were performed on Ukrainian radio and TV by artists including Nazariy Yaremchuk, Vasyl Zinkevych, Sofia Rotaru, Lilya Sandulesa, Lina Prohorova, Tamara Miansarova, Radmila Karaklajich, Evgen Martynov, Ala Kudlay, and Nadiya Chepraga, as well as by popular Ukrainian bands such as “Kobza,”[5] “Vodogray,” “Charivni Hitary,” “Plamya,” and “Kalyna.” The period from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s was filled with new projects and political activism.
When a wave of national consciousness for independence swept through Ukraine, Volodymyr joined the "RUH" political movement.
This future museum was intended to highlight the activities of prominent artistic figures from Ukraine and other countries during their time in Crimea.
The artistic career of Volodymyr Kudryavtsev was severely affected by a series of misfortunes and family dramas that began to creep into his life, impacting his health and leading to drinking problems.
Thanks to the help of his friends, the poet found a home at the Natalya Uzhviy House of Veterans of the Stage in Kyiv, where he lived for the last six years of his life.
Volodymyr Kudryavtsev also appeared a few times on TV shows, including “Life after Glory”[6] and “Interviews with Dvorsky.”[2] His songs were once again performed by modern Ukrainian artists, such as Taisiya Povaliy, Mariya Yaremchuk, Viktor Pavlik, and others.
The hit “A My u Dvoh” was revitalized into a video clip with a humorous plot, performed by Valeriy Leontyev and Viktor Gordon.
Although Volodymyr tried to contribute more time to the family, the chaotic pace of his lifestyle strained his relationship with Valerbina, and they divorced in 1970.
Living in a certain environment, Volodymyr couldn't resist the temptations of show business and became involved in romantic relationships with many women.
In 1982, the couple moved to Yalta (Crimea) and rented rooms in a mansion that had formerly belonged to a count, located within the grounds of the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens.
Volodymyr became addicted to alcohol, entering another difficult period in his life that took a tremendous toll on his health and career.
Together with Les Tanyuk, they helped Volodymyr secure lodging at the Natalya Uzhviy House of Veterans of the Stage in Kyiv.
Broke, disappointed, and in despair, the poet attempted to commit suicide; however, his new friend, Mykola Oleynchuk, a former actor of the Uzhhorod Drama Theatre, saved him.
