Ukraine found itself in Eastern Europe and bordering Asia, that's why Ukrainian music has unique and outstanding expression not found in the neighboring countries. During the Soviet era, Ukrainian music was censored. But since it was disconnected from urban culture, it continued to develop in the villages and thus retained its authenticity. It didn't just survive β it thrived in an underground world of classical music, opera, jazz, rock, folk, modern electronic, and other genres. It made Ukrainian music even stronger.