FROM THE PUBLISHERS
In Byelorussia, colorful folksongs from olden days still ring throughout the land. These songs came into being together with the people, and the two have been inseparable. They have always reflected the tradition, history, thoughts and feelings of the people. Rich with colorful themes.these vary in moods, from the lyrical, joyful, and comical, to the sad and, sometimes, solemn. They form the cherished core of our heritage and part of the priceless treasure of world folklore. Enemies and foreign aggressors have attempted to destroy and exploit all that was and is Byelorussian, including our songs, by introducing by force their own culture and customs. These attempts have proved fruitless, for there have been those, who have kept the national spirit alive even during the most trying times. Through their efforts, the songs have been preserved until our times.
Time and again, it has been the folksongs that have kept our people together, sharing the joys and hopes of a people that still looks forward to its independence. Foes and tyrants may appear and may gain control of the people but never will they gain control of the people’s mind and hearts. As long as the heritage of customs, and songs and dances is kept alive, the people will live.
It is in the same enthusiastic spirit and hope for the present, still young, and for the later, still unborn, generations of Byelorussians, that we, the Byelorussian youth of Cleveland, publish the following anthology. Only if the spirit exhibited by these songs characterizes the minds of the present generation, will there ever be true Byelorussians in the future.
Moreover, it is with sincere gratitude that we wish to thank the composer, Professor M. Kulikovich, without whose cooperation the present work would not have been possible.
FROM THE COMPOSER
The following collection of national music for accordion accompaniment, under the title, “National Motives”, has, at long last, been published. Let those who will play the songs and those who will listen keep in mind and heart Byelorussia, their fatherland.
It was my hope and intention to include as many harmony parts in the songs and as clear and vivid a Byelorussian spirit as possible. The first part of the volume consists of nearly all, of my original compositions while the second includes my arrangement of many Byelorussian traditional songs and dance melodies.
Hence, I wish you all good luck in your musical endeavors.
M. Kulikovich. (Clevelend 1967)