Dear Readers,
On Saturday, July 23, 2022, I organized a performance in NYC. The name of the event was ‘Silenced Widows Procession.’
I collaborated with Latvian filmmaker Signe Baumane and Brasilian photographer George De Castro-Day to organize this performance. We connected at the previous protests in support of Ukraine. Once, Signe was wearing a black headscarf and Ukrainian vinok (flower crown) and carrying a red broken heart. I told her:’ I like your broken heart.’ She replied: ‘Would you like to have one? It is easy to make.’ And that was the start of the ‘Silenced Widows’ protest. We meet the next day to make a plan.
Photo 1: Poster promoting ‘Silenced Widows Procession’
Our performance ‘Silenced Widows’ was a part of an international protest organized by the association ‘Women for Ukraine.’ It was an honor for me to organize this event for New York City. We promoted it on social media and around our group of friends. We wanted it to be a small but powerful performance rather than a massive march.
Photos 2 & 3: Preparations for the procession, George taking a picture of a participant, Signe handing over the flag of Ukraine
Saturday finally came, 96 degrees outside, and we gathered on the steps of the New York Public Library. Around 30 people showed up. Standing in the library’s shadow, we started preparing for the procession, dressing up, and distributing the pickets around the group. Ukrainian singer Inna Zozulya opened the event with a beautiful but sad Ukrainian song. A mid-sized crowd gathered around us, taking photos and clapping hands after the song ended.
Photo 4: The opening song by Inna Zozulya/ photo Aneta Radziejewska
We formed a column with a flag of Ukraine at the front and entered 5th Avenue. At the end of the column, Rubin played drum every 4 seconds. The sound of the drum underlined the importance of the performance. After that, we slowly walked north.
Photo 5: Procession marching in midtown Manhattan/ photo George De Castro-Day
One of the participants, Mary, was handing flyers to pedestrians on the street. She was briefly explaining our performance. The majority of people were intrigued by the procession and showed their compassion.
Photo 6: Procession marching in midtown Manhattan/ photo George De Castro-Day
The messages that we carried were for example: ‘Russia is a terrorist state!’, ‘Russia has destroyed over 2,000 schools & universities in Ukraine’, ‘Russia has killed over 600 children in Ukraine’, ‘Russia is guilty of genocide in Ukraine’, ‘Russia has deported over 1,600,000 civilians from Ukraine’, ‘Russia has killed over 6,500 civilians in Ukraine’, ‘Russia has destroyed over 670 hospitals & clinics in Ukraine.’
Photo 7: In front of Grand Central Terminal/ photo George De Castro-Day
The procession got to the Grand Central Terminal. We stood in the middle of the main concourse, Inna pulled out her guitar, and we started singing. The Grand Central heard us singing the national anthem of Ukraine.
That day, July 23, also marked five months of the Russian invasion. People in Ukraine have been experiencing unimaginable losses every day for too long. And not only their hearts are broken. Please keep supporting Ukraine!
Photo 8: ‘Silenced Widows’ /photo George De Castro-Day
If you want to support, you can donate here: https://www.razomforukraine.org/donate/
Thank you.
