Israeli radio in Ukrainian? – did you know about Dmitry Gershenzon’s program “Fafa-Lyala” on the First Radio 89.1 FM? – we recommend

In Israel, there is a radio station that many turn on out of habit — in the car, at work, at home. “First Radio 89.1 FM” has long become a part of everyday life for Israelis. But there is a program on its airwaves that not everyone knows about: a Ukrainian-language broadcast entirely dedicated to Ukraine.

This is the program “Fafa-Lalya”, hosted by Honored Artist of Ukraine Dmytro Gershenzon. It is a rare format for Israeli FM radio — a broadcast in Ukrainian, dedicated to Ukrainian music, culture, and famous Ukrainians.

“A program about famous Ukrainians, great Ukrainian culture, and unique Ukrainian music. The host of the program, Honored Artist of Ukraine Dmytro Gershenzon, introduces music and songs from different years and styles. He presents premieres and shares stories about the creation of songs, VIA, conducts interviews — and all this in Ukrainian” – the creators present their program.

Here, for example:

What is “First Radio 89.1 FM”

“First Radio 89.1 FM” https://www.891fm.co.il/

and https://www.facebook.com/891pervoe

and https://www.youtube.com/@PervoeRadio89.1

is a commercial FM radio station in Israel. It began broadcasting on October 14, 2001 and has since remained one of the most recognizable stations for the country’s audience.

The radio operates in the FM band daily from 07:00 to 23:00, and online broadcasting is available 24/7. In addition to classic radio reception, the station can be listened to via the internet and on television platforms. This gives “First Radio” a wide audience and makes it an important media platform for different cultural voices.

Ukrainian program on Israeli radio

Against this backdrop, the appearance of a program in the Ukrainian language within the schedule looks particularly noteworthy. “Fafa-Lalya” is not a short segment or a one-time project, but a full-fledged author’s program that has been regularly broadcast for several years.

The format of the program is musical and educational. The focus is on:

• Ukrainian music from different eras and genres,
• stories of famous songs’ creation,
• tales of legendary VIA,
• contemporary performers,
• interviews and cultural context.

And all this — with Ukrainian speech on Israeli radio, without adaptation and translation “for convenience.”

Dmytro Gershenzon: biography and creative path

Dmytro Lazarevich Gershenzon is a Ukrainian musician, singer, composer, arranger, and radio host, Honored Artist of Ukraine. He was born on March 9, 1956 in the city of Balta, Odessa region (at that time — Ukrainian SSR).

Gershenzon received his musical education at the Bălți Music College, graduating in 1976. By the late 1970s, he began his professional musical career and quickly entered the Ukrainian pop scene.

Since 1977, Dmytro Gershenzon worked with various vocal-instrumental ensembles. Over the years, he was a member and soloist of well-known groups, actively performing, recording, touring, and collaborating with other Ukrainian musicians. His activities covered both performance work and composing and arranging.

In the 1990s, Gershenzon became widely known as one of the representatives of the Ukrainian pop scene. His contribution to the development of Ukrainian music was officially recognized: in 1996, he was awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist of Ukraine.

In addition to concert activities, Dmytro Gershenzon actively worked in the studio, wrote music, engaged in arrangements and production, and participated in the creation of musical projects and programs. His professional biography is connected with Ukrainian musical culture of the late 20th — early 21st century.

In 2013, Dmytro Gershenzon repatriated to Israel. After moving, he did not cease his creative activities and continued to work with Ukrainian cultural material already in the Israeli context. It was during this period that he became the author and host of the Ukrainian-language radio program “Fafa-Lalya”, dedicated to Ukrainian music, culture, and famous Ukrainians.

here – https://www.facebook.com/dmitrij.gersenzon

Thus, Dmytro Gershenzon’s creative path unites several stages — the Soviet and post-Soviet period of Ukrainian pop, independent Ukraine, and the Israeli stage, where he continues to popularize Ukrainian culture beyond the country.

When “Fafa-Lalya” airs

The program airs in the evening, usually in the format of a one-hour broadcast at 20:00 on Tuesdays.

In the broadcast schedule, it has established itself as a regular program, not a one-time project. In addition to the live broadcast, individual episodes can be found in the radio’s archive recordings.

Why it matters

“Fafa-Lalya” is not just a music program. It is an example of how Ukrainian culture sounds in Israel not episodically, but systematically.

On the radio, in the country of repatriation, where dozens of identities intertwine, the Ukrainian program in the Ukrainian language becomes a form of cultural presence — calm, natural, and lively.

It is not nostalgia or exoticism. It is a normal conversation about music, people, and memory — in one’s own language.

Question to readers

Have you ever accidentally come across “Fafa-Lalya” — in the car, at home, at work?
And if so: which Ukrainian song or performer sounds like “home” to you, even while in Israel?

Where and how to listen

“First Radio 89.1 FM”

“Fafa-Lalya”

at 20:00 on Tuesdays.