February marked the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and this sad event was marked in Sunderland on Saturday 22nd February. It was to be an event of profound meaning and a reminder to us all that when we read about this development or that development regarding Ukraine, we are talking about the lives of millions of real people.
The local Salvation Army brass band welcomed us into the concert, appropriately as the event was in the Salvation Army centre on Roker Avenue. They also gave the event a local feel.
Before the event began, I asked Ukrainian Anya Nemesh about the event. Anya replied: “The Mayor of Sunderland is here and many Ukrainian refugees and families and supporters. We came here to commemorate the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
It was noted in the opening address that among other sad statistics, 6.3 million Ukrainians had been forced to leave Ukraine, leaving 40 million behind in need of humanitarian support.
We were told that the Deputy Lord Lieutenant was present along with the Lord Mayor, Sunderland Central MP, Lewis Atkinson, and a number of councillors and representatives of the Salvation Army.
Sunderland for Ukraine developed with help of Kateryna, a Ukrainian woman and we were told they, “got on and did it”. We were then asked to pay tribute and listen to the Ukrainian national anthem, at which point everybody stood and then the Lord Mayor welcomed everyone. And that was a lot of welcomes, as there were about 300 in attendance.
The Musical, dancing and poetic talent
Soon the music began with singing from the Ukrainian Nightingales, one of whom had had their own business in Ukraine, the first of numerous short biographies we were given about those who richly entertained us. The group sang a powerful song, which was well received. The event was off to a great start…
Next up was the remarkable Ivan from Kyiv, who is 12 years old and has been learning piano since he was 4 from a tutor in Kyiv, who still teaches him online. Ivan treated us and treated really is the right word, to a quite superb rendition of the old standard Summertime. Ivan is incredibly talented and will hopefully get the recognition he deserves as time goes on.
Then we had another young performer, Fedir from Kyiv with an adult singer. Fedir, who was said to like Maths, is only 9 years old and sang a song called My Ukraine, in a duet. The lyrics included the line, “you are in my heart Ukraine”.
Following that we heard from Peter, a local man who had opened his own home to Ukrainians. Peter spoke passionately about ‘My Ukraine and talked about his friends in Ukraine. He spoke movingly of the people killed and destruction and people in Sunderland from Ukraine who every day are wondering what news they are going to wake up to. Peter also talked about getting help to Ukraine and gave his heartfelt thanks to Ukrainians in the hall.
Peter also mentioned fundraising social events and concerts, about people getting on with life, while wanting to return home, before noting that “Ukraine is under my skin”. He was proud of the children there who had so much talent. After he spoke, it was commented upon that Peter’s home is a warehouse, full of things to help Ukrainians,
We were then treated to a performance by children from all over Ukraine, who sang a lively song, while waving yellow and blue streamers. It was noted that the children have assimilated well into local schools while keeping their Ukrainian culture as well and had done so well to have lessons in English five days per week and then have Ukrainian school as well.
Then we heard from the talented Anna Krivuta, singing two songs including one called Cornflour Eyes and her own composition. Anna is a poet and writes compositions and is heavily involved in the local music scene. One song was a ballad and one was upbeat and got people clapping their hands. The lyrics included the lovely line: “Your eyes are like lakes, so deep and bright”.
Before each Ukrainian performer, we were shown a map of Ukraine to highlight where people are from, all over Ukraine and it was noted that they would not have met without coming to Sunderland and the Northeast.
After the singing was a poem entitled ‘When the war is over’, which was passionately read and dealt with the triumph of love and nature over hate and destruction.
We then had music from Bodhana and dancing from Anna. Bodhana is a graduate of Durham University and 5 year old Anna starred, dancing with older partners, in a very moving dance piece about fleeing war torn Ukraine and leaving people behind.
Michael from England was up next. He talked about going to Ukraine to take supplies e.t.c. He has been to an orphanage a few times and he told us how children run for shelter now when they hear a loud bang. He has also opened his home to Ukrainians.
As something slightly different, the Salvation Army band gave the concert a nice Northern English feel, playing a lovely tune. I noted that it was indeed a very well paced event.
Then we had more Ukrainian music, with Tetiana who had been an accountant, with Yuriy who had been a civil engineer singing, with dancers as well. They sang a Ukrainian song, which was well liked as people clapped along. The performance finished with lively traditional dancing.
Next up was Vadym, playing a patriotic Ukrainian song on the guitar and singing, while people in the audience sang along, before singing a quieter, more reflective song. We also had a Ukrainian teenager playing guitar to a Ukrainian song.
Then we had a dance with Kyryl and Kristina. Kyryl is a dancer and both are studying at Durham University. Their dancing was excellent and very well received. The show was really showcasing the amazing amount of talent in the Ukrainian community in and around Sunderland.
It was great to hear that £300 had been raised by the Ukrainian group that meets at Sunderland Salvation Army Church and had been sent to a church in Kharkiv, to help people in the frontline of the terrible war.
Following that we had singing from a vocal teacher from Kharkiv, who was a very strong singer singing a ballad called The Mallows about the sadness and displacement of the war. It was truly beautiful singing and followed by a second song which was very inspirational.
Summing Up
The Deputy Lord Lieutenant thanked the organisers for the invite to the event, and said that we must pay tribute to Ukrainians and the Ukrainian community in the Northeast for their resilience. She went on to rightly say that the event had been “such a treat”, before particularly praising the children who had performed.
The event was said to have enriched our understanding of Ukrainian culture and strength and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant noted that friendship is so important. She proudly stated that Ukrainians had found a warm welcome with humour and friendship in Sunderland and the wider Northeast. The ties that have been formed would not be broken. Indeed hope and friendship will sustain the community until the day comes when Ukraine gains an enduring peace.
Thanks were also given to the Salvation Army and all who had made the night possible.
Sunderland as a sanctuary
The Lord Mayor of Sunderland also spoke near the end. She noted that the Sunderland Ukrainian community actually goes back to another war, the Second World War. During the present conflict, 2 000 Ukrainians had come to the Northeast, with 400 of these coming to Sunderland.
Sunderland was said to be a city of sanctuary, of justice, tolerance and friendship. Ukrainians coming to the city had been given housing, medical care, educational and other support. The effects of the war are still causing trauma for Ukrainians and so in Sunderland volunteers have been helping Ukrainians with trauma issues.
The Lord Mayor noted the tremendous progress Ukrainians have made in three years and she expressed her gratitude to those who have played part in supporting them. It was a community with tremendous talent and passion.
Gifts
Then gifts were given to the Lord Lieutenant, the Mayor and also to local councillors present, along with thanks for what they have done on a practical level to help Ukrainians in Sunderland. More gifts were also given to Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson and to the Salvation Army commissioners present.
Last but certainly not least, a gift and praise was given to Kateryna who had started the work with Ukrainians in Sunderland.
One more musical item and a spiritual reflection
There was one more musical item with choral singing, before thanks from the Salvation Army Commissioner who reminded us that God is with us in the darkest places. Certainly, the event seemed to bear this out, as it was an example of showing that where there is the darkest of humanity, we can also see the brightest stars of humanity shining through the gloom. The Commissioner commended people of the Sunderland and Northeast area for opening their hearts to Ukrainians and said that he was proud of the role of the Salvation Army.
Overall, this was a most impressive event, showing the huge amount of talent in our Ukrainian community in the Northeast and it was lovely to see so many smiles from a community that has been through so much in the last three years.
While politicians play their games, this event was the reality of the war, that involves real people with fears and hopes and feelings just like the rest of us. An event with very proud people who just want to live in peace while also reminding us of the many, many decent people in the Northeast who support and help them. This is the reality, not the rhetoric and a reminder that good people can as was said in the event “get on with it”, work together and help each other, while the powerful carry on with their machinations. Let us all work to help those who have come here from afar and let us all hope that before long a just and sustainable peace can come to Ukraine and its long-suffering people.
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