Songs that unite: producer Nikolai Krupatin speaks at the National Centre RUSSIA about the power of music

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Music and song are a powerful force that can influence people, foster patriotism and even help prevent conflicts. At the National Centre RUSSIA, blogger with a million-strong following, songwriter, creative producer of the radio station "Yug Molodoy" ("Young South"), composer and sound producer Nikolai Krupatin spoke about the impact of creative work on historical events and audience worldview. The meeting took place as part of the annual All-Russian Media Forum YUNKOR.

"Music has accompanied us at all times. It has helped us rejoice, feel sadness, pull ourselves together and move forward to achieve victory. By the end of the nineteenth century, when the global industrial revolution began, song had turned into a powerful industry that not only generated income but also helped unite minds," said Nikolai Krupatin.

He also spoke about the role of music in Russian history. One of the most striking examples, he noted, is the song "The Sacred War", which became a powerful mobilising factor during the Great Patriotic War.

"Sometimes people tell me that music is just a melody that we simply listen to. I reply: yes, we listen to it, but that is not all. Music evokes emotions, and it is emotions that shape our desires. When a person is in a relaxed and positive state, they are especially receptive. A vivid example is 'The Sacred War', which united the country during the Great Patriotic War and helped people remain resilient. Such is the power of music and its creator when it comes from the heart," explained Nikolai Krupatin.

The speaker also highlighted the important role of musical art in preserving and transmitting cultural heritage. He also noted that music has repeatedly served as a basis for dialogue between countries. As an example, he cited the creative association of Russian composers known as the "Mighty Handful". Its members collected folk melodies and reinterpreted them in a style relevant to their time. This led to the creation of famous operas such as "Prince Igor" and "Boris Godunov". Their popularity abroad resulted in a growing interest in Russian culture.

At the end of the meeting, Nikolai Krupatin addressed the topic of artificial intelligence and offered advice to young attendees interested in creative work.

"Artificial intelligence was originally created as a tool, so it is up to people to be smarter than it. This does not mean rejecting it, but we must remain in control. So I urge you to be as independent and thoughtful as possible — and to listen to good music. After all, what we let into ourselves is what we become," he said. 

The All-Russian Media Forum YUNKOR is held annually and gives participants the opportunity to exchange experience with young correspondents from other regions, improve their media literacy, create socially significant content and become communication leaders. The final day of the three-day event took place at the National Centre RUSSIA on 4 April and brought together more than 120 Yunarmiya members involved in media from 30 regions of the country.

The forum is organised by the Yunarmiya All-Russian Children and Youth Military-Patriotic Public Movement with the support of the Ministry of Defence of Russia, the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation and the Movement of the First. The main theme of this year’s forum was preparing young correspondents to cover events marking the tenth anniversary of the Yunarmiya.