Ukrainian stories and culture come to Newport
Chervona Kalyna
Stories from a country under siege will fill the lobby of the Newport Performing Arts Center this Saturday, Feb. 17, at “Indomitable Voices — Listening to Ukraine.”
Presented by the Ukrainian Foundation, the program includes a variety of art workshops, a dance workshop and performance, a discussion circle and light refreshments. But, most importantly, stories will be told, primarily through poetry.
“The whole point of this is to get people to listen to the voices of people affected by this war,” event supporter Roxy Hills said. “The one we held last year was more of a party, we want people to understand more about what happened before the war started, and what is happening now.”
Guests are invited to immerse themselves into Ukrainian culture through activities including a 20-minute dance instruction workshop by Chervona Kalyna, a dance performance by some local Ukrainian children, a wheat straw ornament workshop and a guided workshop in the Petrykivka style of painting traditional to Southern Ukraine.
“We will have all the workshops and dances, but we really want people to support Ukraine because the support is waning even though they need it now more than ever,” said Tetyana Horner, a Ukrainian American and Ukrainian Foundation board member. “I have spoken to several refugees and a soldier that was on the front lines. There is hell going on there right now. They are outnumbered by the Russians and are running out of ammunition and critical supplies.”
One hundred percent of all donations made during the event will go towards the purchase of medical supplies for Ukraine.
“We’d like to continue to help the Ukrainian people by sending the critical supplies they so need right now,” Horner said.
A published poet, Horner is prepared to read poetry written by herself and others.
“I am hoping a friend that writes poetry in Ukrainian is coming,” she said, “but if she can’t make it I will read one or two of hers.”
Horner and Hills both feel the stories and poems will increase understanding between cultures.
“Everybody has a story to tell,” Horner said. “And every story deserves to be heard.”
Saturday’s event runs from 12:30 to 3:30 pm in the lobby of the Newport Performing Arts Center, located at 777 W Olive Street. For more information, go to ukrainian.foundation.