Stepan Hiha

Stepan Petrovych Hiha (sometimes Giga; ; 16 November 1959 – 12 December 2025) was a Ukrainian composer, singer, associate professor and a People’s Artist of Ukraine (2002). Being one of the most influential representatives of Ukrainian pop music in the second half of the 20th and early 21st centuries, Hiha combined academic vocal singing with a pop-musical repertoire. Among his most popular songs are “Zoloto Karpat”, “Tsei son” and “Yavoryna”. Hiha was among the few Ukrainian singers of the same era who have never performed in the Russian language. Hiha was a member of the National Union of Composers of Ukraine and was the first person to be awarded the Golden Disc in independent Ukraine. As an associate professor, he was researching higher art education in Zakarpattia Oblast and the development of Transcarpathian pop music in the second half of the 20th century. Biography Early life and education Stepan Petrovych Hiha was born on 16 November 1959 in the village of Bilky, Zakarpattia Oblast. He was raised in a family of modest means, with parents who were ordinary labour workers. In addition to attending a secondary school, he also took vocal and bayan classes. After completing ten