The event, which took place at the Stissing Center in Pine Plains, New York, aimed to raise awareness of the ongoing war in Ukraine through poetry, music, and the power of the human voice. It also sought to generate funds for Razom for Ukraine, a prominent American organization committed to supporting Ukraine.
This was reported by the organizers of the event and by organization Razom for Ukraine.
The charity evening, "Words to America from Ukraine," brought together Hudson Valley residents for an evening of translated war poetry, traditional Ukrainian folk music, and readings performed by renowned authors and actors.
"We feel that the world is forgetting very quickly. Not only about the war in Ukraine, but also about floods and fires. People just stopped paying attention,” said Liivi Ernits, one of the organizers of the event. Ernits is an Estonian immigrant who started this charitable project with her husband, Mark Laugus. The couple also founded the nonprofit organization of the same name to provide support to Ukraine.
This was the second charity evening organized at the Stissing Center. The first, which took place two years ago, raised $120,000 for Ukraine.
The cultural power of words was at the heart of the evening, with poems written by contemporary Ukrainian authors during the war being performed by renowned artists. The works were by Vasyl Sagaydak, Oksana Lutsyshyna, Serhiy Zhadan, Viktoriya Amelina, Maryana Savka, Ostap Slyvynskyi, and Maryana Garahonych.
"We deliberately chose a complex topic: words from Ukraine to America. Because poetry unites souls. We wanted to reach out to those who still live in comfort and remind them that neither democracy nor freedom can be taken for granted," Ernits explained.
The event began with a cocktail hour featuring Ukrainian snacks and drinks, organized by Bartleby & Sage. Then, the performances and readings started. Participants included Broadway actor Romain Fruger, known for his role as Ethan Girard in the musical The Full Monty; Mike Topp, a poet and collaborator of artist Raymond Pettibon; and Liivy Ernits, who read poetry.
The Ukrainian Village Voices, a New York–based Ukrainian vocal ensemble known for their deeply authentic performances of Ukrainian folk songs, provided the evening’s musical performance.
The invited speakers included Ukrainian-American media entrepreneur and Kyiv Post founder Jed Sanden, head of the American Ukraine PAC; and Razom for Ukraine board member Maria Genkin. Genkin spoke about the organization’s mission and programs to help children, including those who have been abducted or displaced by war.
A charity auction was also held, during which visitors could purchase works of art by local and Ukrainian artists, as well as certificates for dinner at restaurants and other unique items. All proceeds from the auction were donated to Razom for Ukraine, which provides humanitarian assistance, including support for displaced and abducted children.
"This was an incredible Ukrainian evening at the Stissing Center for the Arts and Culture—the culmination of months of planning and coordination. A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful committee for their dedication and hard work in raising funds for those affected by war through Razom for Ukraine. Thank you to our keynote speakers, the emotional poetry readers, all who donated items for the charity auction, and the talented Ukrainian Village Voices for participating in this moving and inspiring event,” said Diana Duffus, an event attendee and organizing committee member.
"It was an impressive program prepared by Livi. Together with Romain Frégère and Mike Topp, she read poems by contemporary Ukrainian poets in English translation. The performance was honest, raw, and powerful. Livi suggested combining poetry with choral singing, which was extremely inspiring. The voices and polyphony of the Ukrainian Village Voices are unparalleled in their beauty. If I am not mistaken, all of the ensemble members are second- or third-generation Ukrainians born in the USA. Their songs were a sacred gift to everyone in the hall. Many in the audience could not hold back their tears because it touched their hearts so deeply," said Anastasia Gudko, founder of the Borshch of Art organization and sponsor of the event. Borshch of Art, яка також стала одним зі спонсорів цього заходу.
Photo: Diane Duffus
Author: Inna Mikhno