by Kay Curry
Northwest Asia Weekly
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell addresses the audience at the Ukrainian and Global Refugee Mayors Concert (Credit: Kai Curry)
In the auditorium and on the stage, the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag fluttered. At the Ukrainian and Global Refugee Mayors Concert on April 4, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, conductor Ludovic Morlot, and Ukrainian singers and dancers performed for free in support of the cause.
“We came together…because we saw that the Ukrainian people desperately needed basic resources…they faced displacement from their homes and their homes,” KING 5 emcee Joyce Taylor said in a packed concert hall VIP.
Co-hosting the event were Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, King County Executive Dow Constantine and 36 King County mayors, including Breen Mayor Sofia Aragon, who said they saw the mayors with Harrell “Condemning targeting Ukraine and acknowledging the hardships experienced by refugees from around the world.” Aragon explained, “Many AAPI refugees resettled in the Puget Sound region have experienced the same trauma and hardship. The Ukraine crisis has laid bare the refugee experience. “
Seattle Symphony cellist Nathan Chen made similar remarks in a recent interview.
“The week that Russia went to war with Ukraine was a particularly painful week for music production. The whole world was on the brink of… a precipice of, ‘Is this really everything?’” Chen described the immediate response from Seattle and King County. Actions, such as the symphony orchestra playing the Ukrainian national anthem at the mayor’s previous event. concert.
“As much as it may seem, there’s one small thing we can do as musicians to show our support and solidarity with the truly terrible things that are happening in the world.”
The thought of what could be happening in Ukraine right now fills the air with poignancy. Symphony president Krishna Thiagarajan kept his introduction short by citing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s surprise appearance at the Grammys the night before.
“Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing for the wounded in the hospital, even for those who can’t hear them, but the music breaks out anyway.” Thiagarajan then continued, in his own words, “Music can Beyond language barriers, when language fails us, it takes over… Music can also restore human hope and faith.” He explained that the music chosen for the evening highlighted “the quest for self-determination and freedom.”
Morrow then came onto the stage with a blue-and-yellow ribbon on his lapel. The concert began with a piece by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (“Finlandia”) in protest against the Russian Empire – at the time, against censorship, but as the opening song of the night, it was impossible to deliver a stronger sound. Info. From there the show moved to the Ukrainian “Welcome Ball” performed by the Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Company. There was a standing ovation as dancers in traditional costumes raised the Ukrainian flag.
Next comes the music of two Ukrainian composers. Myroslav Skoryk’s “Melody”, who has been awarded the title of People’s Artist of Ukraine and Hero of Ukraine, seems to be a patriotic choice, confirmed by the touchingness of the music itself; while Valentin Sylvie Valentin Silvestrov’s more nuanced, more contemplative work disappears into a silence that you can hear.
“I haven’t heard live music in a long time,” Taylor said. “It transports us…it’s a universal language…and tonight it’s really allowed us to do something so wonderful to support people who are facing challenges.”
70% of the funds raised tonight will go to help Ukrainians overseas and in King County, while 30% will go to other refugees locally. Harrell praised Washington’s good nature in his speech.
“We are a city of hospitality… Washington has been one of the top 10 states to accept refugees… I ask our city to lead the nation to open its heart.” He went on to make his case. “As mayor, I have no tolerance for hatred, destruction, bigotry or intolerance… We’re going to claim our greatness tonight, and we’re going to claim to be the best version of ourselves.”
Harrell had issued an executive order in support of the Ukrainian people on March 7 to “direct municipal departments to take action to help communities affected by the unwarranted and violent Ukrainian invasion.” As he stated on the symphony stage, “…threats to democracy deserve our attention and our participation… It’s not that we beat our chests and suppress the rights of others that make us great, but that we open our hearts to immigrants and refugees.”
“Putin and his army don’t value people’s lives. They come to kill, destroy and steal,” said Valeriy Goloborodko, Ukraine’s honorary consul general in Seattle. “It was a tragedy. But through this tragedy, we are blessed to have friends… who did everything possible to help the Ukrainian people, to help civilians and innocents, to save their lives, to get through this war together, to victory…to life victory.”
Emotions were high all night. The Ukrainian United Choir, wearing a mask, straightened its back and raised its chin, sang “Pray for Ukraine” in perfect harmony; then entered “Mighty Dnieper”, a song about the great river that flows through Ukraine . The song ebbs and flows like an angry storm grabbing that river and the wind of “roaring and roaring”, reminiscent of wartime, while lyrics like “The rooster doesn’t croak… yet there is no human voice” ” or “The owl of the glade warns” gives an ominous feel. People in the audience shout in what may be Ukrainian voices until the symphony makes its way to Beethoven’s finale, “Fidelio” or “Leon” Noel Overture” was just settling down.
This meaningful night was filled with sadness and tension, but like the heroine in Fidelio who disguises herself in order to free her husband from a political prison, there is hope for the ultimate victory. As many have said since the conflict began, the resolve of the Ukrainians to face the invasion was unwavering, and they showed it on stage.
“In Ukraine, we have a proverb,” Goloborodko said. “Experiencing grief with a friend, you split the grief in two. Experiencing happiness with a friend, you are doubling that happiness. We are grateful for…all the friends who gathered here and all the support we received. Goloborodko concluded , if Seattle and King County can now help Ukrainians in this sad time, then “we believe there will be a joyous time soon. “
Kay can reach info@nwasianweekly.com.
