The Ukrainian National Museum in Chicago hosted a literary and musical evening of “The Word is Not Silent. Dialogues Through Generations,” dedicated to Ukrainian women writers who shaped the Ukrainian cultural and spiritual tradition. The event featured texts and thoughts by prominent Ukrainian women writers – Lesya Ukrainka, Olena Pchilka, Olha Kobylyanska, Natalia Kobrynska, Olena Teliga, and Lina Kostenko. The evening itself combined literature, music, and performances by young talents.
This was reported by the Ukrainian National Museum and organizers of the event.
“Olena Pchilka, Natalia Kobrynska, Olga Kobylyanska, Lesya Ukrainka, Olena Teliga, Lina Kostenko – the images of outstanding Ukrainian women met and conveyed their feelings and opened their souls. Poetry, song, dramatic images – the beautiful and creative work of a team of talented youth led by Roksolana Prokopiv, Maryana Hamanyuk, Tetiana Dynka-Chaykivska, Lana Polak with the students of “Elegia”. Thank you and bow down for your great work in the name of Ukraine!”, – noted the Ukrainian National Museum.
As noted, the central theme of the evening was the female word, which “is not silent” and continues to sound through generations. The organizers emphasized that each of the authors whose works were presented at the event personifies a separate dimension of Ukrainian culture and struggle: indomitability, enlightenment, inner freedom, equality, courage and responsibility to history.
It was also noted that the evening was filled not only with literary readings, but also with musical performances. The guests were particularly impressed by the performers, in particular the duet of Lyubov Lukashevych and Andriy Boychuk, Olga and also the students of StarKids USA under the direction of Kateryna Grod, the ensemble “Smile” The Elegy Studio and of course those who became famous Ukrainians for one evening – Anastasia Oliynyk (Olena Pchilka), Olya Oliynyk (Lina Kostenko), Teresa Dunka (Lesya Ukrainka), Sofiyka Buryadnyk (Olga Kobylyanska), Andjelinka Sovych (Olena Teliga), Samira Prokopiv (Nataliya Kobrynska) and others.
“What an incredible, profound and inspiring evening “The Word is Not Silent” was at the Ukrainian National Museum in Chicago… But the most valuable thing is that the stage this evening belonged to young talents. To those who, through music, words and soul, continue to live Ukraine and carry its light further,” one of the reviews emphasizes.
According to the participants of the event, the atmosphere of the event was deep, sincere and emotional. In particular, some reviews concerned the performance of Sophia Fraser, whose singing to the words of Lina Kostenko was called bright, deep and touching the heart.
Separately, one of the organizers of the evening, Tetyana Dynka-Chaykivska, emphasized that the event was dedicated to the female word, which has gone through a difficult path to be heard. According to her, the writers who were remembered this evening each speak about their own, but together - about the human heart that seeks meaning, truth and love.
“The word has power. It can heal, support, uplift, but only when it is true. Like the saints who were not silent in the face of untruth, these women became the voice of their time. And perhaps today their words remind us not to be afraid to speak, not to be afraid to feel, not to be afraid to be a light for others. Because words are not silent. And the heart too,” she says.
“The Word is Not Silent” at the Ukrainian National Museum became for us not just an event – but a living breath of the word, a meeting of hearts and a deep sense of unity. A lively conversation of the young generation about the important, the experience and comprehension of the eternal and valuable… Probably no one expected to see such a huge number of guests that evening… That evening, each of you became a co-creator of something much more than just a literary event. You created a space where meaning was born, where truth sounded, where the word was alive, heard and resonated in souls. Our guests, thank you. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you that this evening will take place in such a luxurious company of those who care,” remarked one of the authors of the evening, Roksolana Prokopiv, the owner of a unique collection of authentic clothing.
The evening also had a charitable component. The funds raised during the event will be partially donated to support wounded Ukrainian soldiers through the Protez Foundation ($1,300), as well as a symbolic birthday gift to Lina Kostenko ($1,300) as gratitude from the Chicago community for her work, which inspires Ukrainians around the world.
Photo: Maksym Prokopiv
Author: Inna Mikhno