It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Pawlo Dlaboha, a long-standing member of the Ukrainian Society of Switzerland, on Friday, September 6, 2024.

Pawlo came to Switzerland via a circuitous route, like so many in our community, when he and his parents were forced to flee Poland due to the menacing political situation in Eastern Europe. Born in Legnica, Poland, on the 11th of March 1951, Pawlo emigrated from Poland to the United States in 1961. At the age of 16 he returned to his beloved Europe to study music. His studies took him to Lucerne, Zurich, Geneva and later the United Kingdom.

He ultimately settled in Lucerne in 1974, where he taught music theory, orchestral conducting, applied English and was a piano coach at the Lucerne Cantonal Gymnasium. In addition to teaching, Pawlo devoted his time to his beloved Ukraine, actively participating in the activities of the Ukrainian Society, organizing concerts, recitals, conducting chamber orchestras both in Switzerland and abroad. Once Ukraine became independent again, Pawlo organized the first Swiss Music Festival in Ukraine, conducted numerous Ukrainian Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, including Camerata Leonis in Lviv, became a guest conductor in Lviv, Zaphorizhia and Dnipro and one of the founders of the International Society of New Music in Odessa.

At the same time, in Switzerland, Pawlo organized courses for Ukrainian musicians, concerts of new Ukrainian music in Zurich, was instrumental in enabling Yevhen Stankovych, one of the most prolific Ukrainian composers, to receive a grant as a Composer in Residence for a four month stay in Biel/Bienne, and produced a CD in1988 “Lucerne Concert”, the first ever digital recording of Yevhen Stankovych’s Chamber Symphony no.3 and his arrangement of Astor Piazzola’s “Adios Nonino” dedicated to Camerata Leonis.

In addition to the musical sphere, Pawlo Dlaboha tirelessly advocated for Ukraine in Switzerland, both as a private Swiss citizen, and as a board member of the Ukrainian Society. From 2018 until his passing, he represented our Ukrainian Society at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in the committee on Diaspora Policies.

Pawlo was known by many and loved by all. Always bedecked impeccably in his emblematic hat and scarf, Pawlo’s infectious manner, his warm smile, his joie de vivre, his generous sprinkling of the word “beautiful” never failed to put a grin on everybody’s face. His energy and commitment were contagious to both his peers and to the many young people who crossed his path throughout his long teaching and mentoring career. He leaves behind his sons Damiàn and Markian and their mother Marina.

In lieu of flowers, Pawlo has asked that donations be made to the Ukrainian Society of Switzerland in his name.

Ukrainischer Verein in der Schweiz/Société Ukrainienne en Suisse case postale 2, 1701 Fribourg – IBAN: CH40 0900 0000 8776 5794 8

Requiescat in Pace! Vichnaya Pamiat!