Ukrainian singer Khrystyna Soloviy has announced the upcoming release of a new version of the iconic track 'Proshchai' ('Goodbye'), originally written and performed by the legendary Sestrichka Vika (Viktoriya Vradiy). The premiere is scheduled for October 30, 2026. This work will become a crucial part of the artist's large-scale musical research project dedicated to the golden era of the Ukrainian scene in the 1990s.
The upcoming album promises to be a unique cultural phenomenon, combining modern interpretations of cult songs with archival heritage. The record will feature not only reimagined hits of the past but also collaborative tracks created with recognized legends of Ukrainian pop music from that period. The project aims to reintroduce iconic names of national musical history to the younger generation.
Background and the Legendary Status of Sestrichka Vika
The song 'Proshchai' has a rich history rooted in the late 1970s when Viktoriya Vradiy performed it as part of the VIA 'Arnika' long before the emergence of her cult stage persona. Later, the singer became a true symbol of Ukrainian rock, triumphantly winning first place in the rock music category at the legendary 'Chervona Ruta' festival in 1989.
As fate would have it, Sestrichka Vika has been living in California for over three decades, having moved there in 1993. That exact year, Khrystyna Soloviy was born, adding a deep symbolic meaning to their recent meeting in the US. Soloviy searched for the legendary performer's contacts for a long time and ultimately received her official blessing and permission to use the musical material.
Controversial Data
Despite the prevailing opinion that the song 'Proshchai' is inextricably linked solely to Sestrichka Vika's solo rock work of the early nineties, archival data points to its earlier origin. Music critics and researchers of the Ukrainian pop scene differ in their assessments of how much the early version from the VIA 'Arnika' repertoire differs from later rock arrangements; however, both sides acknowledge the supreme historical value of the composition for domestic culture.
Khrystyna Soloviy first openly spoke about plans to create a joint project and work on the cover back in early 2026 during an interview on FM Halychyna. Now, the long-awaited release has an exact date, and the artist's fans will be able to see exclusive video footage from Viktoriya Vradiy's California home, which Soloviy promised to publish soon.
