Ukrainian Military Veteran to DJ at Major Scottish Festival
A remarkable story of resilience and healing is making waves in the music community. Andrew Kosolapov, a Ukrainian military veteran, is set to perform a DJ set at doof In The Park, one of Scotland’s premier electronic festivals. This event is more than just a musical gathering; it symbolizes hope and recovery, as Kosolapov is using his newfound passion for DJing as a therapeutic outlet to combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The Power of Music in Healing
Kosolapov, who is affectionately known as “Perekos,” discovered DJing as part of his rehabilitation following trauma experienced during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. After volunteering to fight following Russia’s 2022 invasion, he faced the horrors of war firsthand, enduring injuries and the loss of fellow soldiers. Faced with these challenges, he sought a positive avenue for recovery and stumbled upon EnterDJ—a Ukrainian non-profit that employs electronic music as a tool for rehabilitating those affected by war-related PTSD.
“When the enemy approaches your home and your loved ones, I saw no other option than to take up arms and go to war,” Kosolapov reflects. “After my injury, I needed something positive to help me recover, and that’s when I discovered EnterDJ.”
A Serendipitous Meeting
The inspiring narrative took another turn when Robbie Tolson, the founder of the Scottish dance music charity Turn The Tables, met Kosolapov during a humanitarian trip to Ukraine. This visit was part of the Music Saves Ukraine delegation, aimed at utilizing music for humanitarian purposes. On the final night of the trip, amid the chaos of blackouts and air raid sirens, Kosolapov and 18-year-old Ukrainian refugee Oleksandra Korol—also set to perform at the festival—joined forces for an impromptu DJ set at the Kyiv venue HVLV.
This spontaneous collaboration proved pivotal, leading Tolson to extend an invitation for Kosolapov to perform in Scotland. The goal was to raise awareness for EnterDJ, emphasizing the transformative power of music in healing.
Oleksandra Korol: A Young Talent
Joining Kosolapov on stage will be Oleksandra Korol, affectionately known as Sasha. After fleeing Kyiv when the invasion began, Sasha has carved her own path in the Scottish music scene through Turn The Tables. She learned the craft of DJing and has become a regular at doof Studios, a community DJ space in Dundee founded by Hannah Laing and supported by Turn The Tables and Street Soccer Scotland.
“doof Studios has become so much more than a place where I learned a skill,” Sasha noted. “It helped me grow my confidence and connect with the music scene in Dundee, which has really helped me feel at home here.” Like Kosolapov, Sasha is using her skills to create a sense of belonging in a new country, having already performed at other festivals such as the Dundee Dance Event and Hidden Door Festival.
Celebrating Resilience and Community
Laing, the curator of doof In The Park, expressed pride in what the collaboration symbolizes. “I’ve watched Sasha grow in confidence since she first started attending workshops at the studio,” she said. “It’s an honor that we can now host this collaboration, allowing her to represent her home Ukraine in such a meaningful way.”
Tolson emphasized the importance of shining a light on the healing potential of music. “It genuinely works on so many levels to help people going through tough times,” he explained. “On stage will be one DJ who evacuated to Scotland because of the war and another who volunteered to defend his country against violence we thought was resigned to the history books.”
A Festival of Hope
The doof In The Park festival, set to return to Camperdown Park in Dundee on July 4, boasts a vibrant lineup, but the stories of Kosolapov and Korol provide a poignant backdrop to the event. Their performances serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unifying power of music amidst adversity. These two artists’ journeys reflect the strength found in community engagement, shared experience, and the healing capabilities of music, leaving an indelible mark on the festival and those who attend.
