Ukrainian song in Tallinn: how Maxim Galkin unexpectedly made a musical gesture of remembrance

Maksim Galkin, a Russian and Israeli artist, surprised the audience at a concert in Tallinn by performing a song by the legendary Ukrainian singer Stepan Giga. This moment turned out to be especially symbolic: shortly after the performance, it became known about the death of the artist, whose name is associated with an entire era of pop music for several generations of Ukrainians.

A coincidence that gave the number a completely different weight.

Song as a gesture

During the concert, Galkin unexpectedly switched to Ukrainian and honestly admitted from the stage that the language is not easy for him. He said that he is learning it step by step, making mistakes, going back, trying again — and he does not intend to stop.

It was in this context that the song “Tsey son” — one of Stepan Giga’s most recognizable hits — was performed. Without parody. Without irony. Just a careful, respectful performance.

Galkin directly from the stage called Giga his favorite Ukrainian performer. It was only later that it became known that the singer had passed away — and this number in Tallinn was perceived by many as an unintentional musical tribute.

Audience and network reaction

The audience reacted restrainedly but very attentively. Without automatic applause.
On social networks — a different dynamic. Comments quickly converged on one thing: it looked sincere.

They wrote about the tone, the choice of song, about how the artist did not try to “play a role,” but simply paid tribute. For the Ukrainian audience, this gesture was especially sensitive — not loud, but precise.

A cultural bridge, not a showy gesture

Galkin has long said that learning the Ukrainian language for him is not a formality or a political slogan. At the concert in Tallinn, he once again emphasized: the language is alive, changing, complex, and this is what makes the learning process real, not decorative.

In this context, Giga’s song sounded like part of a dialogue, not as a number in the program. Not as a statement, but as a personal choice.

Who Maksim Galkin is today

Maksim Aleksandrovich Galkin is an artist with a dual identity: Russian by origin and Israeli by today’s life. In 2022, he publicly spoke out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and moved to Israel with his family.

Since then, his concerts have increasingly gone beyond the entertainment genre. Music, language, remarks from the stage — all this has become part of a broader cultural context in which he consciously exists.

A moment that remained

The performance in Tallinn was not announced as a dedication. It became one later — already in the perception of the audience. Sometimes this is exactly how memory works: without official words, but with a precise hit in intonation.

And in this sense, that evening turned out to be more than just a concert.

It was a quiet sign of respect — to the artist, to the culture, to the language.

And it is precisely such moments that are recorded and comprehended today by NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency, when culture speaks where politicians have long spoken too loudly.