Chicago rang out in support of Ukraine: "On Palm Sunday in a Ukrainian village in Chicago, the "We Stand with Ukraine" concert brought together musicians from the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra, Ukrainian performers, soloists, volunteers and other concerned people to declare that the world has not forgotten the war in Ukraine. The benefit concert was held at St. Nicholas Cathedral in support of Ukrainian soldiers and medics, with all proceeds going to UMANA and Revived Soldiers Ukraine.
This was reported by the organiser of the event, the Ukrainian Institute of Contemporary Art.
The concert, dedicated to Ukraine's struggle for freedom, was organized by the Ukrainian Institute of Contemporary Art in partnership with the Kyiv Committee of Sister Cities International and gathered a full house at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral.
Musicians from the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra, Ukrainian soloists and artists from the Lyric Opera Stage performed on stage. The programme included works by Lysenko, Hulak-Artemovsky, Skoryk, Elgar, Verdi and Webber. The concert was conducted by Michael Golian.
According reported, the concert took place just hours after another Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy.
"We want people to understand and not forget that there is still a full-scale war going on there and we must provide Ukraine with any possible assistance," said a representative of the Kyiv Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International.
The funds raised were used to support two organisations: Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA) and Revived Soldiers Ukraine, which provides rehabilitation for wounded soldiers.
"We receive about 45 wounded soldiers every day. Our goal is to get as many defenders back into the ranks as possible, because there are few specialists left in Ukraine," said Iryna DiSipio, founder of Revived Soldiers Ukraine.
Among the guests were Ukrainian soldiers currently receiving treatment in the United States.
"Every person matters. Every minute matters. Every cause matters. It doesn't matter if it's music, money, anything - the main thing is to help each other," said Myroslava Andrushkiv, a concert attendee.
Photo: St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral
Author: Inna Mikhno