Dear friends,

The Slavic, East European and Near Eastern Summer Language Institute (SL) at the University of Pittsburgh stands strongly in support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression. In the summer of 2022, SLI raised funds for humanitarian relief to Ukrainian victims of the war through a series of concert presentations benefitting several aid organizations. On the occasion of the one-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion, SLI is renewing this fundraising effort by making available high quality video and audio recordings of beautiful Ukrainian music and poetry, which was performed live in Pittsburgh on July 7, 2022 in a collaborative concert sponsored by SLI and the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Music.

Selected works comprise masterpieces from the classical repertoire, folk song in the kobzar tradition played on handmade traditional instruments, classical poetry, and recent poetry composed during the war. After you donate, you will receive an email with a link to download the recordings, which feature the following exquisite selections, performed by professional musicians and orators:

  • “Prelue in Memory of Taras Shevchenko” by Yakiv Stepovy (1883–1921)

  • “In the Fortress” by Taras Shevchenko (1814–1861)

  • “To Deny One’s Fate” by Mykola Lysenko (1842– 1912) and Taras Shevchenko

  • “Contra spem spero” by Lesya Ukrainka (1871–1913)

  •  “The Winds are Blowing” from the opera Natalka Poltavka by Mykola Lysenko 

  • “To the memory of Alla Gorskaya” by Vasyl Stus (1938–1985)

  • “Ukrainian Poem” by Yevhen Stankovych (b. 1942)

  • "Tell me, brother" by Taya Naydenko (b. 1982)

  • "The Wings" by Lina Kostenko (b. 1930)

  • "Song of Songs" by Vasyl Barvinsky (1888-1963) and Vasyl Maslov-Stokoz (1866-1918)

  • "Live, Ukraine, Live for the Beauty" by Olesandr Oles (1878-1944)

  • Ukrainian Suite IV. Dance by Igor Shamo (1925-1982)

  •  "As I Walk Through the Valley" by Anonymous

  • "The Night of Taras" by Taras Shevchenko

  • "Duma About Khvedir the One Without Kin" by Anonymous

  • "Weep You No More Sad Fountains" by John Dowland (1563-1626)

  • “Through Crying, Groaning, and Weeping” by Lesya Ukrainka

 

Thank you for joining us in celebrating the rich culture of Ukraine and for supporting the Ukrainian people by giving to Ukraine TrustChain!

Ukraine TrustChain is classified as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions to Ukraine TrustChain are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.

For Donor Advised Funds and Corporate Pledge Drives, donations over $5,000, or to donate by check, please contact donate@ukrainetrustchain.org.