Ho ho ho! We are halfway through December, and the weather in NYC is warm. Leaves are still yellow on the threes, and people enjoy outdoor dining and activities. Low 35, high 45. Yet, you can feel the magical holiday atmosphere here in New York.
I opened my holiday season with a concert at Carnegie Hall: Notes from Ukraine: 100-Year Celebration of «Carol of the Bells.» This concert honored the Ukrainian song «Shchedryk» by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych. In 1922, The Ukrainian National Chorus arrived in NYC and performed the song at Carnegie Hall. It became the most famous holiday melody in the world, known as Carol of the Bells. Unfortunately, Leontovych, the creator of the composition, was eliminated by russians. Therefore, this song has a very symbolic dimension.
Photo 1: Poster ‘Notes from Ukraine’ in front of Carnegie Hall; Photo 2: Playbill and donation info
At the intro, we listened to a Ukrainian composition performed by Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus. Bandura is a traditional Ukrainian folk music instrument. The sound of it reminds me of a cello.
After that, the president of Carnegie Hall said a few words and presented our special guests: the Consul General of Ukraine, the representatives of the United Nations, and the Ukrainian Arm Forces soldiers who came back from the war. At once, the entire audience stood up and started cheering for the heroes. Everyone turned to the balcony where the soldiers were standing. This moment was very emotional, and even weeks after the event, I feel like this emotion lives in me. The concert was about to begin, but there was another speaker, the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. The First Lady had a special speech about Carol of the Bells. She emphasized that it’s important to remember and celebrate Ukrainian culture. Especially now, once the oppressor country – Russia – is trying to erase their national legacy. She said, ‘Hear the bells’, and the concert started.
Photo 2: Audience at Carnegie Hall
Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York, accompanied by the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus, started the concert’s first part. After that, another choir entered the scene – the Ukrainian Children’s Choir «Shchedryk,» who arrived from Kyiv. The choir ended the first part of the concert with ‘Shchedryk.’
Photo 3: Ukrainian Banduras; photo 4: Ukrainian accents in the auditorium
Part two began with the speech of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. The lights went off, and the entire auditorium turned black. All I saw were the emergency exit signs. President Zelensky wanted to express that the blackout is now an everyday reality in Ukraine. Millions of people in Ukraine are experiencing cold and hunger because of the damaged energy infrastructure.
In the second part, The Choir of Trinity Wall Street performed various Ukrainian compositions. After that, all the choirs reentered the scene for the big finale – ‘Shchedryk.’
Photo 5: From the left: Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York, Ukrainian Children’s Choir «Shchedryk», The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus
This concert was a great opportunity to raise funds for Ukraine for the most urgent causes, such as heat generators, medical aid, and military support. Besides that, the concert had a symbolic dimension. By celebrating Carol of the Bells, we raise awareness of Ukrainian culture and show the resistance of the unbreakable people of Ukraine. At the concert, I realized that all Ukrainians were dressed up in vyshyvankas – traditional Ukrainian clothes. I was wearing a vyshyvanka myself.
Photo 6: Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
One of the hottest holiday destinations in NYC is the famous Christmas tree by Rockefeller Center. The tree has more than 50,000 multi-colored LEDs, and on the top, the Swarovski star with 3 million crystals. (fun fact: the star was designed by Daniel Libeskind). Thousands of people come to see this magical tree every day.
I decided to visit the tree with a sign. The sign reads: ‘No lights in Ukraine. Millions of people in Ukraine do not have electricity, water, and heat.’ I placed a QR code to New York Times article about the energy crisis in Ukraine. I made this sign for people who don’t know what’s happening in Ukraine and wanted to encourage them to help.
Photo 7: Standing in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Thank you for reading my article. I wish you all a better year, 2023.
If you want to help people in Ukraine during the energy crisis, please follow the link below.
www.razomforukraine.org/donate/
