Princeton hosted the annual cultural and community event, "Bridges," which is dedicated to Georgia's Independence Day. This year, the event honored Kakha Tilidze (Tushi), a Georgian Legion soldier who died fighting for Ukraine.
Про це Vilni Media розповіли в фонді “USA stands with Ukraine”.
The event aimed to bring together communities, soldiers, artists, and comrades-in-arms around the values of freedom, honor, and remembrance. The program included panel discussions, speeches by thought leaders, an art exhibition, and a literary presentation of the English-language book The War Within: A Children's Story for Ukraine (Ashborn Books), cultural performances, and a sports tournament.
The central element of the program was an exhibition by Ukrainian artist Maria Mostovchuk. It featured four paintings: the abstract canvases "War" and "Peace," as well as the painting "Cossack Mamai," which was painted in 2014 when the first Ukrainian volunteers set off for the east. There was also a portrait of Kakha Tilidze. The portrait of the hero was painted in a subdued color scheme and accompanied by the opening verse of the song "Chakrulo" — a form of Georgian polyphony recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage.
«Я довго не могла почати. Малювати героя — це не техніка. Це відповідальність. Я виношувала цю роботу, як дитину. Довго дивилась на обличчя Кахи. Я шукала не риси — а внутрішній промінь. Його погляд, його мовчання, його “так” у найстрашніший момент. Я малювала кольором, але думала серцем.І там є все: і тиша, і гнів, і ніжність, і кров, і життя, і смерть…», — розповіла художниця Мостовчук.
Maria Mostovchuk is a Ukrainian artist who has held dozens of exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad. She works as an art therapist with Ukrainian military personnel undergoing rehabilitation in the United States, and she teaches classes to children and adults.
"I work until the color begins to breathe and sound like music," she said.
As a result, Kaha's portrait became a gift from the Ukrainian community in the United States to the fallen soldier's family. The most touching moment, however, came when a teenage girl approached the portrait of the hero and said:
"This is my dad... Thank you; he is so alive here.” The soldier's daughter was present at the event.
The event also included a soccer competition, the “Kaha Football Tournament.” Before the tournament began, the Ukrainian national anthem was performed by the young singer Marta Misyats. During the anthem, the Ukrainian national team players stood in formation. Team captain Andriy Stronsky could not hold back his tears.
“Слава Україні!”, — вигукнула Марта після завершального акорду гімну України. “Героям Слава!”, — прогудів стадіон у відповідь. А десь згори, крізь дощ, на це все дивився Каха. І тисячі воїнів, які поклали життя за свободу і майбутнє України. Герої не вмирають. Вони живуть у нашій памʼяті, у наших діях, у наших серцях”, – підсумувала подію президентка Фонду Марина Власюк.
Фото: USA stands with Ukraine
Author: Danylo Pievchev