In a moving Christmas broadcast, the King called for unity and neighbourly spirit amid global divisions, with a stirring performance of “Carol of the Bells”, a song with a tragic backstory
In his Christmas message, the King evoked the spirit of wartime unity. He did so by urging people to foster stronger community bonds and encouraging everyone to reach out and connect with their neighbours, in a world marked by growing divisions.
Delivering his annual address from the historic Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey, the King reflected on the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day. He further emphasised the enduring importance of the values that united communities during times of immense hardship.
He also praised the “spontaneous bravery” shown by ordinary people in crisis situations, citing the recent Bondi Beach attack in Australia as an example.
Moreover, the broadcast featured a carol performed by a Ukrainian choir, many of whose members have found refuge in the UK due to the ongoing conflict in their homeland. The King chose the carol “Carol of the Bells”, performed by the Songs for Ukraine Chorus, as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
The carol, originally composed by Ukrainian musician Mykola Leontovych, was performed by a choir featuring soloists Arina Koroletska and Olha Terletska from Odesa, with many choir members now residing in the UK due to the ongoing conflict. This musical selection underscored the King’s message of “unity, courage, and reconciliation in a divided world”, and highlighted his continued support for the Ukrainian community.
King Charles said in his speech: “As I meet people of different faiths, I find it enormously encouraging to hear how much we have in common. “With the great diversity of our communities we can find the strength to ensure that right triumphs over wrong.”
Mykola Leontovych, the brilliant Ukrainian composer behind the world-famous “Carol of the Bells”, led a life as dramatic as his music. Born in 1877 in what was then the Russian Empire, Leontovych rose to fame for his hauntingly beautiful choral works and arrangements of Ukrainian folk songs.
But his story took a dark turn in 1921 when, amid the chaos following the Russian Revolution, he was assassinated in cold blood by a Soviet secret police agent while staying at his parents’ home.
The Bolsheviks, intent on crushing Ukrainian culture and independence, saw Leontovych as a threat, turning the celebrated composer into a tragic martyr for his nation. Leontovych subsequently died on January 23, 1921 while visiting his parents for the Orthodox Christmas.
An undercover Soviet agent, masquerading as a guest, spent the night under their roof before turning on his host. At dawn, the agent, Afanasy Hrishchenko, shot Leontovych at point-blank range and ransacked the family home.
By the time help arrived, the beloved composer had tragically bled to death, his life cut short by Bolshevik brutality.
“Carol of the Bells” is based on the Ukrainian New Year’s folk song Shchedryk (“The Little Swallow”), originally a spring/New Year’s chant about a swallow bringing good fortune and a bountiful year, adapted by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych and later given Christmas lyrics by American Peter Wilhousky, transforming it into a beloved holiday classic
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .