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The Yagas and Gogol Bordello Release Cover of Iconic Ukrainian Folk Song “Chervona Ruta” for Midsummer Tribute
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Alt-rock group The Yagas, led by Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress Vera Farmiga, has teamed up with international punk icons Gogol Bordello, fronted by Eugene Hütz, to release the official studio version of their rendition of the beloved Ukrainian love song “Chervona Ruta.” The track is now available on global streaming platforms to mark Kupala Night , Ukraine’s midsummer celebration taking place this weekend.
Released on June 20, this cover version of the song intertwines the legend of a mystical flower with Kupala Night’s deep-rooted themes of love, fate, and nature’s magic. According to Ukrainian folklore, the rare bloom appears only on this night—symbolizing a once-in-a-lifetime connection between soulmates, according to The Yagas and Gogol Bardello press offices.
Earlier this year, The Yagas and Gogol Bordello debuted a live performance video of “Chervona Ruta” following a series of performances in the New York area, including a show at the iconic Bowery Ballroom.
Both Farmiga and Hütz, who share Ukrainian heritage, have used the release as a tribute to Ukrainian culture and language. The project also supports humanitarian efforts, with proceeds and visibility helping organizations such as UNITED24.
“I’m a first generation American. I was raised in the Ukrainian diaspora of New Jersey, instilled with an immense pride of my family’s heritage and culture. Ukrainian music and dance were a vital source of strength, identity, celebration and connection to Ukraine,” shares Farmiga.
“Music has galvanized Ukrainian morale since the Russian invasion began. I thought, what a great way to uplift our loved ones in Ukraine than to perform a banging cover of the quintessential Ukrainian song ‘Chervona Ruta.’ I grew up singing it at Ukrainian Plast and Syzokryli summer camps, deep in the woods and wildflower fields of Novyi Sokil, Soyuzivka, and Verhovyna, in New York’s Catskill Mountains. I associate this song with summer romance and lifelong friendships I developed, immersed in Ukrainian scouting and dance culture.”
Farmiga explained that “Chervona Ruta” carries deep layers of emotion—romance, resilience, pride, passion, and national identity. She noted that the song is more than just a tale of a girl finding a magical red flower that brings love; it is also a love song to Ukraine itself, filled with patriotic sentiment.
“This is a particularly meaningful song for me to collaborate on with Vera and The Yagas, given that we are both of Ukrainian descent, even though we were born on different sides of the Atlantic Ocean,” says Hütz. “We both know it from childhood and with all respect to the original version, we thought of a distinctly tougher spin on it, just like the times we live in. What a natural way to connect and let that song do some inspirational as well as tangible fundraising work to support a trusted charity organization, Support Action Ukraine.”
The Yagas — featuring Vera Farmiga on vocals, Renn Hawkey on keys, Jason Bowman on drums, Mark Visconti on guitar, and Mike Davis on bass — released their independent debut album Midnight Minuet on April 25. Hailed as an “unexpected masterpiece,” “a spellbinding sonic journey,” and “one of the best debuts of 2025,” the album showcases the band’s genre-defying sound and emotional depth. Produced by Hawkey (formerly of alt-metal band Deadsy), Midnight Minuet includes standout singles such as “The Crying Room,” “She’s Walking Down,” “Life Of A Widow,” and “I Am.”
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Formed in 2023, the New York-based quintet draws its name from the mythical Slavic figure Baba Yaga — a soul-consuming guardian of life’s mysteries. Much like their namesake, The Yagas are shape-shifters, seamlessly moving between metal, industrial, and theatrical alt-rock. Since their live debut last fall, the band has surpassed 3 million streams and views, earning early comparisons to A Perfect Circle, The Cure, and Type O Negative.
Meanwhile, international punk band Gogol Bordello, led by Ukrainian-born Eugene Hütz, continues to blend energetic performances with a strong message of cultural and social awareness. Since forming in 1999, Gogol Bordello has performed alongside acts like System of a Down, Primus, Rancid, and Dropkick Murphys.
As Russia’s war in Ukraine rages continues, the cause remains deeply personal for Hütz and the band. Gogol Bordello has actively supported humanitarian efforts through organizations like Nova Ukraine and ArtDopomoga, using their platform to rally global solidarity.
Together, The Yagas and Gogol Bordello represent two sides of the same powerful coin — fusing art, myth, and activism to amplify Ukrainian voices on the world stage.
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