The NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in Manhattan hosted a gala concert by the New York City Dumka Choir. The concert was dedicated to the choir's 75th anniversary and brought together talented performers. Among the invited guests were Japanese violinist and composer Ikuko Kawai and Ukrainian singer Khrystyna Soloviy.
This was reported on the choir's Facebook.
In his speech, the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, Sergiy Kyslytsia, noted the choir's role as a powerful cultural ambassador of Ukraine abroad, stressing that the Dumka Choir helps raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle for freedom.
Thanks to Dumka's performances - whether at the UN, Carnegie Hall or many other prestigious venues - Ukraine's voice is heard far beyond our borders. This partnership shows the world that Ukraine's cultural heritage is as vibrant and resilient as its people,' said Kyslytsia.
Vasyl Hrechynskyi, the choir's Artistic Director and Honoured Artist of Ukraine, said that since the outbreak of the full-scale war, the choir has stepped up its activities in support of Ukraine, performing numerous concerts to raise funds to help Ukraine.
"After the Russian invasion began, we as a collective felt it was our duty to do as much as we could for Ukraine, for the people, for the army. Sometimes we were singing three concerts a week. We took part in concerts that raised millions of dollars for Ukraine's needs," Grechinsky said.
Hrechynskyi also noted that one of the choir's members is currently on the front line and the choir is supporting him in every way during his military service.
The Dumka Ukrainian Choir was founded in 1949 by immigrants from Ukraine. The theme of Ukraine is central to the choir's activities.
Photo: Bogdan Grytsiv
Author: Danylo Pievchev