The Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco hosted a concert by Ukrainian-American soprano and bandura player Taryn Kuzma as part of the "Bandura for the Future" initiative organized by Ukraine Matters. The artistic evening was designed not only to demonstrate the centuries-old power of the bandura as a national Ukrainian symbol, but also to raise funds to support the wounded Ukrainian military.
"The Bandura for the Future concert was more than a musical performance, it was a powerful act of cultural memory and continuity," Ukraine Matters said.
The program centers on the figure of legendary composer and co-founder of the Ukrainian Bandura Chapel, Hryhoriy Kitastyi, whose great-great-granddaughter is Teryn Kuzma.
"Kytastyi was a composer, conductor and co-founder of the Ukrainian Bandura Band, a group that preserved and supported the Ukrainian national musical tradition in exile after World War II. His work preserved the art of bandura playing and helped it flourish in the diaspora, especially in North America. Through decades of political repression and forced displacement, Kitastyi's music and leadership carried the sounds of Ukrainian identity across borders and generations," Ukraine Matters added.
Thus, Kuzma's performance became a bridge between generations, carrying the music of Ukrainian identity across oceans and decades. The concert itself was accompanied by a short speech by the Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco, Dmytro Kushneruk. He emphasized the importance of such events in preserving the national spirit and the power of citizen diplomacy.
"Each of us can support Ukraine by spreading the truth, attending events, and supporting proven charitable initiatives," said the Consul.
A particularly emotional moment was the gift from Maria Cherepenko, President of the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council (she presented a rare archival poster from the 1979 Bandura Bandura Choir concert in the Bay Area, reminding us that the history of Ukrainian culture has deep roots in the United States.
The concert was part of a large-scale fundraising campaign for the Ukrainian rehabilitation centers Superhumans and UNBROKEN, as well as for the organization of live performances in hospitals in Ukraine.
Author: Inna Mikhno