For decades, Russia has attempted to distort, plunder, and destroy Ukrainian history and culture. Now is the time to fiercely propagate and preserve our ancestral legacy.
On the third anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion, the world once again unites in solidarity with Ukraine. To mark Ukrainian resilience and the nation's struggle for its right to exist, the Hryhoriy Veryovka National Ukrainian Folk Choir performed at the London Palladium as part of the "We Are Ukrainians" global concert tour. The event, organized by the Ukrainian Peace Committee, aimed to express profound gratitude and appreciation to Great Britain for its unwavering support and steadfast stance against the inhumane Russian invasion.
British MPs, volunteers, and Ukrainian businessmen gathered at The London Palladium to listen to an extraordinary ensemble and pay tribute to the fallen heroes. The event opened with a British hymn performed by the Veryovka Choir, followed by a Ukrainian hymn. While the concert celebrated traditions and the common ties between the UK and Ukraine, political messages about Ukraine's precarious position on the international stage were prominent. Lord Charles Banner stated, “President Trump’s stance means we are going to have to do things differently. We will never abandon Ukraine. The fight for democracy and self-determination is not dependent upon an umbilical cord from America.”
In contrast to the US, which after three years of support turned its back on its allies, Great Britain, without excessive politeness, stood firm in its stance. "Mr Trump, if you do not see who caused the war, you need to go to Specsavers and do it right now," Sir George Iain Duncan Smith addressed from the stage.
Throughout the centuries, Russia has been notorious worldwide for its insidious habit of stealing, rewriting, and erasing Ukrainian identity to its core. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, new generations grew up under the overwhelming dominance of Russian-produced TV programs, movies, cartoons, and sitcoms. Russian cinematography, often portraying Ukrainians and their traditions in a mocking and caricatured manner, laid the groundwork for the upcoming battle that Putin has been nurturing for decades. With condescension, Russian propagandist narratives of "fraternity culture" extended far beyond the two countries, overshadowing Ukrainian cinema's attempts to create a greater share of Ukrainian-oriented content.
Setting clear boundaries between authentic folklore and traditions in Ukraine has become a responsibility rather than a mere necessity. In a war-torn country, it is a complex dilemma whether to invest money in culture while all funds are directed towards the Armed Forces. However, views seem to be changing over time.
“Culturally, we have always had state policies guided by Russia. Nowadays, youth and elders will only watch or listen to what interests them. The dilemma is how to reverse this trend and engage young people in creating something that will last for generations. Ukraine is now quite famous for documentaries, musicals, and other achievements. Certainly, the government's agenda is the priority,” said Ukrainian businessman Mykola Ganja.
Britain’s awareness of the cultural and historical clashes between Russian and Ukrainian history has grown remarkably in recent times. Following the invasion, many public speakers and writers have delved into complex questions, beginning with language and extending to finer details: “Before the war, we spelt Kyiv as K-I-E-V, and that's the Russian way. So I think what we've gained is a deeper understanding of the distinctiveness of Ukrainian culture. And that's what I want to learn about more tonight,” said Christopher Hope, Head of Politics at GB News.
The Ukrainian diaspora in the UK is indeed strong. Active integration and collaboration between the two nations have strengthened since the full-scale invasion. As Britons proudly remember their history, the event host remarked, “The enemies bombed the Palladium in WWII. But as we know, true strength lies not in fighting, but in healing.” Culture is something that always unites people in the darkest times.
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