Over 1,200 concert goers came together on Sunday 17 July to enjoy Ukrainian and eastern European song, dance and music, and to raise funds for war-torn, ravaged Ukraine.
The Gala Charity Concert for Ukraine featured performances from Ukrainian, Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian cultural groups, with all funds raised going to the humanitarian charity Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
“It felt good for our community, and our eastern European friends, to come together and support Ukraine,” said Mr Taras Galas, the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) Cultural Director, and organiser of the concert.
“We were also honoured by the presence of Jane Malcolm at the concert, whose mother and step-father were killed by the downing of MH17. The day marked the 8th year since the tragedy, and we hope she felt our support,” said Mr Taras Galas.
Mr Stefan Romaniw, Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO), addressed the concert, which coincided with Captive Nations Week, traditionally held in the third week of July.
Observed from 1959 as a commemoration to the “captive nations” of the Soviet Union (which included Poland, LIthuania, Latvia and Estonia), the week continues to honour and support those who seek national independence, liberty, and human rights.
“Ukraine and its eastern European neighbours understand Russian colonialism and aggression. They suffered together during the years of the imperial Russian Empire, and during the Soviet occupation of their homelands,” said Mr Romaniw.
“As we witness today Russia’s illegal and brutal invasion of Ukraine, we must stand ready to defend the important values honoured in Captive Nations Week. Values of national and human rights, human dignity, democracy, the rule of law and free elections,” said Mr Romaniw.
Mr Taras Galas was assisted by Ms Sonja Vandecamp, Ms Tatiana Moravski, Ms Hania Kaminskyj & Ms Olya Pavlyshyn in the organisation of the concert.
