In Chicago, at the Church of St. Joseph the Betrothed, an evening of remembrance of the victims of the Holodomor was held - a theatrical performance “The Crane 1933”, which tells about the tragedy of a Ukrainian family during the Great Famine.
This was reported by the organizers of the event.
The story of “The Crane” is an artistic embodiment of the truth about the destruction of Ukrainian families in 1933, created based on real events and testimonies. The main character is Zhuravka, a mother of four children who loses her entire family due to the famine caused by the Soviet authorities.
The production was worked on by: the author of the book Maryana Gladiy, director Roksolana Prokopiv, artist Tetyana Dynka, as well as numerous actors, musicians, dancers and volunteers. Namely, the performance featured – Halyna Holovko, Yaro Kuts, Iryna Kurnytska, Marta Sharay, Andriy Hrechanyuk, Yuriy Soroka, Tereza and Damian Dynka, Andjelinka Sovych, Anastasia Oliynyk, Taras Galko, Sofia Buryadnyk, Samira, Melania and Justyna Prokopiv, Anna Gladiy.
Musical accompaniment, live singing and playing the violin created in the hall the effect of a deep spiritual connection with the past. The concert program was decorated with performances by singer Tetyana Barylyak, the “Soul Sound” quartet, the “Stavros” male choir, the “Prykarpatsky” VF, Vyshyvanka School of Dance, Melody Elegy Studio, StarKids USA, the “Berehynia” quartet, the “Svashky” folklore group and a number of other famous local artists and musicians.
“Why is it so important to know more and deeper about the history of one’s own family? If people knew who killed their great-great-grandfathers and who starved their relatives in 1921-23, 1932-33, 1946-47, then the question would not even arise in their minds whether it is worth telling children about it and what language to speak! The enemy destroys what it can destroy: books, museum exhibits, churches, historical places, it takes life so easily… Faith, memory and history cannot be destroyed if it is in your children!”, – remarked Roksolana Prokopiv.
The book “Zhuravka”, on the motives of which the action is based, retells the story of the Kolomiyts family. Father Ivan, mother Zhuravka, children, grandfather Omelko – all of them, except for Khrystyna, die from hunger, repressions or executions. Khrystynka survives, and at a respectable age, she shares her memories with her grandchildren for the first time.
During the evening, we managed to raised over $10,000, which was donated to the Heroes Protection Fund at the Church of St. Joseph the Betrothed. Guests had the opportunity to purchase the author’s books – “Zhuravka”, “Spadok” and “Yarka”, as well as take part in a drawing of paintings.
“We donated the funds collected at the theatrical performance “Zhuravka 33” to our church, as well as funds from the sale of books of the same name and from the lottery, where the prize was incredible paintings by the young talented artist Karolina Zelenetska. We managed to raise $10,200 for the needs of the military, who are currently undergoing rehabilitation in Chicago,” said Maryana Hlady.
The event ended with a prayer for Ukraine, which is now once again experiencing an onslaught of Moscow's cruelty, although this time not through hunger, but through war.
Photo: Maksym Prokopiv
Author: Inna Mikhno