A charity Ukrainian Christmas music concert, “Ukrainian Christmas – Songs and Carols,” took place in the city of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, at the campus of Community Organizations Promoting the Arts (COPA). The event combined the promotion of Ukrainian culture with fundraising to support those affected by the war in Ukraine. All proceeds from the concert were directed to the charitable organization Help Heroes of Ukraine.
This was reported by WMTV 15 News.
The main performers of the evening were Trioda, a band from Ukraine that tours internationally and blends contemporary sound with traditional Ukrainian musical motifs. The concert was presented as a Christmas program of Ukrainian songs and carols.
Friends of COPA board member Katy Sticha noted:
“We’re really excited to have Trioda here today. They are an internationally known band that travels around the country presenting traditional Ukrainian music. And tonight is a special Christmas concert.”
Band member, Ukrainian musician Volodymyr Olenskyi, known as “Elvis,” said that during the performance he sought to share the meaning of Ukrainian traditions and to feel a connection with his family, despite being unable to spend the holidays with them.
“Our idea is to share information about Ukrainian culture. Because, honestly, it’s incredibly interesting, since Ukrainian Christmas for us is family time, when the whole family spends it together,” he said.
According to Olenskyi, Christmas holds special significance for Ukrainians.
“Christmas itself is so important for the Ukrainian people. It’s the clothing, the food, being at home, and feeling this warmth — being together,” the musician explained.
Volodymyr Olenskyi currently lives in Madison with his wife and child, while the rest of his family remains in Ukraine.
“My brother, sister, grandmother, parents, all my friends live in Ukraine. It’s really very hard,” he noted. Through events like this, the musician aims to remind audiences of the need to support Ukraine:
“We want to unite people and tell more stories about Ukraine. Unfortunately, in the U.S., Ukraine is often known only through the war.”
The organizers emphasize that despite the charitable component, culture remained the main focus of the evening.
“War is not the main focus of tonight’s event. It’s more about people learning about traditions. At the same time, this event is aimed at helping Ukrainians,” said Katy Sticha.
Volodymyr Olenskyi is also one of the organizers of the nonprofit organization Help Heroes of Ukraine, which provides assistance to Ukrainian families, including food, clothing, and humanitarian aid. The band Trioda travels across the United States with concerts, raising funds for this initiative.
“This event is very special for both me and my organization. I had never done anything like this before — sharing Ukrainian culture with an American audience. And we did it here,” the musician said.
The event was part of Trioda’s charity Christmas music tour in cooperation with Help Heroes of Ukraine and Eneida Art. The Wisconsin leg of the tour concluded with the concert
“Home for Christmas,” which took place on January 2 at the COPA venue in Madison and brought together Ukrainian carols, music, and charitable support for Ukraine.
Photo: WMTV 15 News, Тріода.
Author: Danylo Pievchev