- City – Poltava, Ukraine
- Language – Ukrainian
- Activity – singer, songwriter
- Genre – Ukrainian chanson, pop disco, lyrical ballads
Zhanna Ltavska is a Ukrainian singer and songwriter who is known as the queen of chanson, recognized for her distinctive style and individuality as a performer. The artist's work combines creativity and volunteering, while Zhanna Ltavska's songs have become favorites among thousands of listeners.
The Artist's Development
Zhanna Ltavska was born and raised in Ukraine, in Poltava. The artist spent part of her life (13 years) abroad. During this time, she honed her vocal skills, gained new professional experience and developed her own performing style. Although the singer saw career opportunities outside Ukraine as well, she eventually decided to return to her homeland and build her future on stage here.
Creative Journey
Zhanna Ltavska's first performances took place at a very young age. She sang on the stage of the local philharmonic and also performed in restaurants, gradually gaining confidence in front of audiences and accumulating stage experience. The singer recalls that singing had been present in her life practically since childhood. At the same time, Zhanna came to writing her own songs much later – in 2022.
That same year, Ltavska released her first pop disco album titled «A Flag for You to Hold», featuring 12 songs. The song «The Gypsies Stole a Tank» became a real boost for the active development of her solo career: it quickly caught on with the public and brought the artist wider recognition.
Before this period, Zhanna says, she was searching for her creative identity. It was important for her not to copy other people's styles but to develop her own signature that listeners could recognize literally from the first seconds. That is why the performer sought to make her music distinguishable through her voice, melodies and distinctive delivery.
Modern Period
The full-scale war became not only a social reality but also a personal pain for Zhanna Ltavska. Since 2022, her repertoire has begun to include compositions dedicated not only to love and personal experiences but also to wartime, loss and the fate of Ukrainian Defenders.
Today, the chanson star actively tours Ukrainian cities. Among the songs the artist performs at practically every concert is «Faith Is With Us», dedicated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Creative Style
Zhanna Ltavska emphasizes that she was in fact one of the first to openly call her genre Ukrainian chanson from the big stage and consistently draw listeners' attention to this direction. At the beginning of her career, the singer was often persuaded not to use the word «chanson» to define her own music and to choose another description. However, Ltavska consciously refused to abandon this position and continued to call her work Ukrainian chanson even during the period when this sounded not particularly fashionable or seemed uncomfortable to some people.
The artist spoke extensively about this on her social media, in interviews and on posters, effectively helping make the term «Ukrainian chanson» natural and understandable to a broad audience. Later, she began to be introduced on television and at major concert venues specifically as a performer of this genre. Zhanna herself regarded this as an important professional achievement.
The hallmark of the talented artist's music is the combination of Ukrainian chanson with Romani and Odesa melodies. This blend of different musical traditions gradually shaped Ltavska's distinctive style. The singer believes that in a changing musical environment, lasting recognition comes to artists who do not try to adapt to other people's templates but instead have the courage to remain themselves.
Song Themes
Before the full-scale invasion, Zhanna Ltavska's work was primarily focused on lighter and more traditional themes. Her songs at the time centered on love and romance, women's lives and friendship. It was mostly heartfelt music for relaxation, personal reflection and enjoyable leisure time.
The beginning of the full-scale war significantly changed the focus of her work. It was during this period that one of the singer's best-known songs appeared – «The Gypsies Stole a Tank», created based on a real wartime story. The song quickly went viral and gained millions of views on TikTok. Following this success, Ltavska continued to address military themes, releasing a number of other compositions.
At the same time, patriotic repertoire did not push songs about love out of the artist's work. Romantic stories remain part of her musical programmes, while among her more recent works is «Red Cherries», which the performer considers one of the most emotional pieces in her own body of work. The song is dedicated to a strong feeling that one sometimes wants to hide from the whole world. The main idea of the composition is connected with the ability to live in the here and now and not reject sincere emotions.
Sources of Inspiration
Zhanna draws material for her love songs both from her own experience and from the stories of friends. Patriotic themes, on the other hand, she says, arise directly from the reality in which every Ukrainian now lives. Everyday life itself remains one of the main sources from which the artist draws inspiration for her work.
Collaboration with Other Artists
Zhanna Ltavska continues to work on new songs, develop her repertoire and record collaborations with other performers. Among her creative partners is People's Artist of Ukraine Natalia Buchynska, with whom the singer recorded the duet «For Women's Friendship».
Another notable collaboration is with singer Petro Chornyi. Together with him, Ltavska presented the song «Leila».
Civic Position and Social Activity
After the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Zhanna Ltavska clearly defined her pro-Ukrainian position, and her creative work gained another dimension – charitable activity. The singer actively supports the Armed Forces of Ukraine and regularly takes part in charity concerts and events that raise funds for the needs of military personnel. At the same time, the star uses her media platform and social media to spread information about Ukrainian volunteer initiatives and support fundraising campaigns.
The artist's team helps military personnel in response to specific requests: when possible, they cover a request in full, and when resources are insufficient, they try to contribute at least partially while still providing support.
Known Hits:
- «Faith Is With Us»;
- «Millions of Kisses»;
- «In Apple Blossom»;
- «Sleepy Paris»;
- «The Heart of a Hooligan»;
- «The Gypsies Stole a Tank» and others.
Interesting Facts About the Performer:
- according to available information, despite the singer's characteristic combination of Ukrainian chanson and ethnic motifs, the artist's family does not have Romani roots;
- at one of the concerts held in the city of Lokhvytsia, part of the skirt unexpectedly became detached from the singer's convertible dress. The artist took the situation with humor, remarking that Lokhvytsia became the only city where they managed to undress Zhanna Ltavska;
- the artist does not have a producer, writes her own songs and works on them together with her team. The singer personally oversees a significant part of the process;
- the performer notes that she has managed to popularize the Ukrainian chanson style so widely that today other artists are even beginning to imitate it in their own work.
