AGAINST THE ODDS

Ukrainian pianists Ruslan & Eva Avdyugins

On January 25, 2023, UNESCO designated Odessa – a port city in southern Ukraine – a World Heritage site in a move that is expected to help preserve the city’s cultural heritage amidst the ongoing war

Appointed in 1794 by Catherine the Great, Odessa has become a cultural, commercial, industrial, and scientific center. The city amazes with a beauty and variety of architectural styles of those times. The vivid centuries-old history of Odessa is intertwined with famous people of different nationalities and religions. The modern Odessa is a large multinational and intercultural city, a major seaport, administrative, economic, tourist, scientific and cultural center of Ukraine.

The successors of the best cultural traditions of Odessa are two young and talented pianists, Ruslan and Eva Avdyugins.

At an early age, their parents discovered in their children a talent for music, along with perfect pitch and outstanding abilities in playing the piano. As external students, the children entered the Odessa Music School and started their successful professional path in the world of classical music.

In February 2022, when the war in Ukraine began, Ruslan had just turned 7, and Eva was 10. By this time, the children had won many piano competitions and their achievements were much written about in the Ukrainian press. Unfortunately, the war turned everything upside down in their lives. The music school closed its doors, the children’s music teacher left the country, and constant shelling prevented rehearsals and live performances.

Despite the perils that surrounded them, the children continued to develop their musical talent in their hometown.

Many hours were spent in rehearsal in the basement of their house, to the sound of air defence sirens. This did not to stop their determination, even during the rocket attacks and explosions. Nothing could break their strong spirit and the love that they had for music.

The results were not long in coming, and after a few months, the children, under the guidance of a new teacher, began to perform again at live concerts and win many online international competitions. To date, eight-year-old Ruslan has won nine Grand Prix and 17 first places at international piano competitions

– he is predicted to have a successful career and is invited to perform abroad. His beautiful sister Eva has an incredible innate musicality and shows great success in piano competitions. ■

Found out more about Ruslan and Eva Avdyugins: Instagram: piano_ruslan & cool_eva Facebook: Piano Avdyugins

YouTube: @avdyugins9807

Both photos: Odessa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre