How the critically acclaimed Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra has ties to Winnipeg
He’s an international sensation with Winnipeg roots.
The Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra formed this summer to tour Europe and the United States to artistically defend their country.
The orchestra has performed on some of the most prestigious stages in the world and made headlines around the world.
The ensemble was formed in July after Russia invaded Ukraine.
“So these are 75 Ukrainian musicians who are either refugees, or came from Ukraine at the beginning of the invasion, or musicians who are part of the European musical diaspora”, explained Keri-Lynn Wilson, the conductor founder of the orchestra.
The aim of the orchestra is not just to thrill the public with music, but something much more meaningful, to raise awareness of the war and to protest.
“What makes this orchestra special is that we are all linked by a mission, this mission to help and to prove to the world that Ukrainian culture is alive and that it is vital, that it is rich, and especially to show Putin that he couldn’t erase them or silence them,” Wilson explained.
Wilson was born and raised in Winnipeg. Her great-grandmother immigrated from Ukraine about 100 years ago. Wilson said growing up in Winnipeg rooted her in the city’s deep Ukrainian community.
“I even took a Ukrainian dance class when I was about ten years old, I think, and I loved the Ukrainian culture in Winnipeg. We went to Folklorama and celebrated at the Ukrainian pavilion.
The Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra tour saw 13 performances in 12 cities.
Wilson said that between her love for Ukrainian culture and still having cousins in the war-torn country, it made for extremely powerful performances.
“It was a very emotional tour, and personally we were all together as one, one soul,” she said.
Although the orchestra’s tour is coming to an end, Wilson isn’t ready to give up.
“Since the orchestra is so good, there was no way I was going to say goodbye to them and never see them again, so we are determined and plan to meet again next summer,” Wilson said.
The final show of the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra tour took place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
The performance was filmed by PBS and will premiere on September 9.