Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Today, February 24, 2024, we commemorated 2 years of this nightmare. We wanted to thank everybody who was able to join us at the rally. We had a great turn out, very many Ukrainian and American flags, outstanding posters, and heartwarming words from Pastor Hryhoriy, Mayor Ezra Nanes, Councilmember Josh Portney, Chair of the PSU Ukrainian Society Igor Latsanych, Prof. Catherine Wanner, Prof. Olena Zolova, and others. We are also grateful to everyone who was thinking about coming but was not able to make it. Your thoughts were with us, as well.
Photo: Prof. Michael Naydan
Photo: Prof. Michael Naydan
Photo: Prof. Michael Naydan
Photo: Svitlana Jones
On Saturday, February 24, 2024, the world will witness the beginning of yet another year of the gruesome, ruthless, inhumane war fought by a country in the heart of Europe, Ukraine. This day will start the 3rd year of Russia’s imperialist claims to its neighbor, a sovereign country of Ukraine. The war that was planned to end in 3 days, continues into the 3rd year. Ukrainian brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, parents and grandparents keep on fighting for their freedom, for their survival, and for the future of all democracy. Events this week clearly demonstrate what a Russian victory would bring not just to Ukraine but to the entire world.
Please join us at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 24, 2024 in front of the Old Main Building for a rally commemorating the two horrific years of the full-fledged war against Ukraine.
***The video is provided by the Mayor’s Office of Nizhyn, sister-city of State College.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rmt0vs8ebjfuWe5EYtlmCDpvZ3PePWp4/view?usp=drive_link
The documentary SCREAM OF MY BLOOD: A Gogol Bordello Story was viewed at the Phillipsburg Historic Theatre on Saturday, November 4, 2023, organized by the Centre Film Festival (see more here). The movie was about the GOGOL BORDELLO band created in NY by the Ukrainian immigrant Eugene Hutz. Eugene attended the event and performed several of the band’s songs accompanied by his violist Sergey Ryabtsev. Ukrainian food and drinks added a special flavor to the event. The funds raised were donated to the humanitarian assistance organization RAZOM. Thank you all who attended and who made this event possible!
Ukrainian dumplings – varenyky were delicious!
YES, WE DID IT!!!
Our Benefit Concert on June 5, 2023 was a BIG success! Thanks to your generosity we have raised $10,025 for our humanitarian assistance to the sister-city of Nizhyn. And there are still some checks coming in the mail. We’ll keep you updated.
Well done State College!
Max Zorin, performed “Spanish Dance” by Myroslav Skoryk, the composer he met in person while performing in Odessa at one of the International competitions.
Ruslana Kaminska a high-school student from Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, who currently resides in State College with her parents, performed two famous Ukrainian songs “Ballad of the Mallows” (Volodymyr Ivasyuk/Bohdan Gura), and “Paint Me a Night” (Myroslav Skoryk/Mykola Petrenko).
If you were unable to attend the concert but would like to donate money for humanitarian relief for our sister-city of Nizhyn in Ukraine, you can still do it by pressing “Donate Now” button at the bottom of the page. THANK YOU!
All pictures but those specifically credited are by Svitlana B. Jones
THANK YOU! ДЯКУЄМО!
We are in the process of making the decision where the money will go. Most likely it will be related to helping children going back to school. We will keep you posted once the details are settled.
The music was beautiful and unique. The musicians were superb. The church was gracious and welcoming. It was a very special night thanks to all who attended the concert, and those who made it possible: Prof. Daryl Durran, Rev. Scott Schul, King Printing, Nina and George Woskob, and all the world class musicians residing in State College, PA.
PSU pianist Melody Quah beautifully performed Yakiv Stepovy’s “Prelude in Memory of Taras Shevchenko”.
The Winds Octet performs Esquisses champetres (Country Sketches) by Volodymyr Dyck (Credit: Rev. Scott Shul)
The Wind Octet comprised of the Stonebridge Winds – Ashley Shank, flute, Anthony Poehailos, clarinet, Anna Skrupky, horn, Daryl Durran, bassoon, together with Andreas Oeste, oboe, Brandy Davis, clarinet, Sarah Schouten, horn, Matthew So, bassoon, Dennis Glocke, conductor also performed the National Anthem of Ukraine (Mykhailo Verbytsky/Pavlo Chubynsky) to the standing ovation of the entire audience.
Over 300 people attended the All-Ukrainian Music concert to benefit the Ukrainian sister-city of Nizhyn.
OUR VERY FIRST BENEFIT CONCERT! We raised over $6000! Thank you everyone who supported our cause and who organized this event!
