Ruslana

This blog, in the biggest way, is the answer for Behzad's question about the music in our countries. My favourite Ukrainian singer is Ruslana. I think she has a unique talent of reflecting a real Ukrainian spirit.
Ruslana Lyzhyzhko is the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004 from Lviv, Ukraine. She is a singer, dancer, producer, composer and pianist. She writes, composes and produces her own songs and music videos.
Her music is inspired by the traditions of the Hutsul people of the Carpathian Mountains.
Ruslana started her career as a winner of Slavyanskiy Bazar song competition in 1996. Her first album 'A moment of spring' received high praise from crities. It was a real success given the overall state of Ukrainian music market of thet time. Her album 'Wild Dances' which was issued in 2003 went double platinum in Ukraine, selling over 200,000 copies. According to the latest sales results (as of 2005) over 500,000 of 'Wild Dances' were sold in Ukraine, making the album 5x platinum.
In 2005 Ruslana appeared at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Kyiv. She performed her new sinle 'On fire'.
This year I was at her studio in Kyiv. She sang and danced for us. It was unbelievable! Later we had some snack she could find there - fruit and wine. Ruslana was really friendly to us. After that I like her much more because she is not only the talented, strong and hard-working person, but a beautiful lady at the same time.