Choir releases song on six month anniversary of war on Ukraine

SANSARA - Image by Matthew Johnson

Leading British choir SANSARA, has released a single based on words by Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelensky and poet Serhiy Zhadan to mark six months since Russia escalated its aggression against Ukraine. The music video was released on Wednesday to coincide with Ukrainian Independence Day.

The music is by one of the country's foremost young composers, Kyiv-born, Natalia Tsupryk, whose life has been devastated by the conflict.

"With the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, my life was split into before and after, and although the Russian war really started eight years ago, I was still deeply shaken," said Tsupryk. "Everything I do now, both professionally and personally, is about Ukraine. Death is everywhere and you never know which of your loved ones might be next. Ukrainians desperately need the world's assistance to win and end this cruel war as soon as possible."

She added: "President Zelensky's words about 'a free people' not allowing 'occupation to take root in their land' show Ukrainians for what we are. Far from being victims and losers, we are warriors and winners."

The new single, A Quiet Night - Tyhoyi Nochi sets text in English and Ukrainian and is written to be sung in places where refugee communities can work together with local choirs. SANSARA's Artistic Director, Tom Herring, stresses one of the strengths of the piece is its power to unite.

"We hope this work will be performed by Ukrainians and host communities in the months and years to come. SANSARA's work is rooted in the belief that choral music has a unique potential to bring people together. A Quiet Night is a musical expression of solidarity with the people of Ukraine," he said, "but it is also a creative vehicle for choirs to meet and sing with all those displaced by conflict. We hope that groups around the world - amateur and professional - will perform this new work, creating spaces of sanctuary and refuge, fostering genuine moments of human connection."

The piece was commissioned by Chris Gunness, Director of the Myanmar Accountability Project (MAP), to remind the world of the evils of dictatorships everywhere and the destruction of Ukraine's cultural identity, one of Putin's war aims.

"The destruction of cultural heritage is a common feature of conflict. It is a potential war crime and a violation of the 1954 Hague convention of which Russia is a signatory," said Gunness. "The Culture Ministry in Kyiv has confirmed the damage and destruction of over 400 historical buildings, museums, libraries, churches and public monuments. This piece is a beautiful reminder that there must be full accountability for these acts of barbarism."

This initiative will raise funds for the Ukrainian Welcome Centre which supports newly-arrived Ukrainian refugees in the UK. The Centre is a partnership initiative between the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy (Diocese) of the Holy Family in London and the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB).

The British Government estimates that over 111,900 Ukrainians have arrived in the UK as of 8 August 2022.

According to The Rt Revd Kenneth Nowakowski, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral: "The Centre is playing a vital role in helping the displaced Ukrainians. Our credibility, expertise, and scalability make us uniquely positioned to meet the tasks of signposting, assisting and just being there for the newly arrived people".

Andriy Marchenko, Director of the Ukrainian Welcome Centre added: "Ukrainian refugees need to thrive here but also cherish their culture and language, keeping an emotional connection with their home country where they can return when it is safe to do so".

Watch SANSARA sing A Quiet Night - Tyhoyi Nochi: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZICZ4q2tF_M&t=17s

To donate to the appeal, visit: Ukraine Refugee Appeal

SANSARA will give the live premiere performance of A Quiet Night on Friday 25 November at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London. To book tickets see: HERE.