Ukrainian Community Press Releases
|
News
from and about Ukraine & Ukrainians
Ukrainian Community Press Releases |
|
|
A group of the Chornobyl Children performing at Verkhovyna Resort in July, 1999. ôîòî: Ð. Ñîðîêà |
On July 11, 1999 a group of Ukrainian children, the victims of the Chornobyl catastrophe of 1986, arrived in the United States with a concert tour entitled "Children to Children". The concerts are sponsored by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) and the Children's Fund of Ukraine. This group is comprised of 12 young performers who had previously participated in numerous talents shows and recently were awarded an honor at the prestigious "Young Talents of Ukraine" competition.
The first part of their concert is devoted to the tragedy of Chornobyl. It is a moving composition-presentation about the catastrophe at the Nuclear Power Plant, highlighting the destructive consequences on the health of the children (the number of Ukrainian children with thyroid cancer and cerebral paralysis is growing steadily every year). In essence, the title "Children to Children" unveils a profound meaning - children who are healthy strive to help their peers who suffer from the terrible consequences of the catastrophe. This is why the goal of the trip is to gather funds for the building and equipping of a therapeutic wing in the Children's Hospital in Bila Tserkva (Kyiv oblast), which will treat those children who are victim of this tragedy. The tour also includes a more cheerful repertoire: Ukrainian folk and modern songs, dances, the playing of bandura, violin and other musical instruments, poetry and other performances.
Worthy of attention is the fact, that at a time when a large percentage of Ukrainian youth consciously casts aside its spiritual values, these young children (some of them are only 10 years old) have found in themselves the strength and will to travel without rest throughout America and give free concerts in order to assist their ailing "brothers and sisters" in the best way they can. Truly, such a dedication and self-sacrifice deserve our recognition and support.
According to the most recent information, the tour will take place on:
July 15 - Hartford (Connecticut),
July 17 - Glen Spey (New York),
July 18 - Wilmington (Delaware),
July 23 - Buffalo (New York),
July 24 - Binghamton (New York),
July 25 - Philadelphia (Pennsylvania),
July 28 - "Soyuzivka", Kerhonkson (New York),
July 30 - Long Island (New York),
August 10 - New York City (New York),
August 15 - Chicago (Illinois),
August 22 - Minneapolis (Minnesota),
August 27 - Detroit (Michigan),
August 28 - Cleveland (Ohio)
Do not miss this unique opportunity to witness this inspiring performance. For more information, please call the UCCA office at (212) 228-6840/41
More Community Press Releases -- Click Here
Comments and observations about this article
and other news
may be posted to the Press Comment Board
|