A group of young musicians from Ukraine has arrived in Ljubljana. The Slovenian Youth Orchestra answered the call for help from the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and organised the evacuation of 67 young musicians.
After days of hard travelling, the first musicians of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, aged 12 to 22, arrived in Ljubljana yesterday morning. Originally, 95 of them were supposed to arrive, but logistical and administrative problems at the border from the town of Chop in the west of Ukraine were too great. Girls were the majority, there were a few mothers, and far fewer boys. Their faces showed gratitude, tiredness and restlessness. They are currently accommodated in two youth hotels, but this is only a temporary solution. They are looking for alternative homes, preferably where they can socialise with their peers. Anyone interested can find accommodation on www.smo.ngo. Donations from companies and individuals will also be collected here to continue funding food, basic necessities, accommodation, assistance to underage musicians, translation and facilitating musical activities. "We will work very hard and very determined to be able to offer these young people, not only those who are already here, but also others who are still to come, a perspective, not just an evacuation," said Živa Ploj Peršuh, conductor of the Slovenian Youth Orchestra.
We would like to evacuate another 300 young people who are currently on the waiting list, fleeing the chaos of war at home, where there is no trace of music academies. "A lot of people have asked me how they can help, including world-famous musicians, organisations and orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Bavarian Opera, various academies, youth organisations. It's a fantastic feeling to live solidarity and not just proclaim it in the EU. We have a real situation where we really need your help and for which we are very grateful," said Oksana Liniv, world-renowned conductor of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and artistic director of Teatro Bologna. The two orchestras will work together for the benefit of young talent. They will organise concerts, festivals, masterclasses, get-togethers, scholarship opportunities at various music academies around the world as part of the Music for the Future project, which is a national initiative of both countries. "We have no hope that this plague will end in three days, so we have to take care of these people who, with our knowledge, we can help to stay upright. To give them hope, to put a glow in their eyes, not just label them refugees," says Živa Ploj Peršuh.
To wash, cry and fall asleep
Twenty-nine-year-old painter Oksana Rura did not sleep for three days on her journey to Slovenia, which started not far from Kiev. "Last night I spent sitting in the corridor between the carriages on the train, where there was so little space. There were eight other people, a child and a cello. We were in pure darkness and it was so cold. I felt like I was in a film. But it wasn't a film, it was my life."
Her brother plays the trombone in the orchestra, but he couldn't escape because he is 23 years old, so Oksana took advantage of her acquaintances and the opportunity to escape. "Today I walked around Ljubljana, which I like very much, but all I can think about is that I want to go home." She said that the journey was difficult, there was a lot of waiting at stations and many people, all of whom were panicking. "My plan was to come here, wash, cry and sleep."
No one can imagine that such a thing is possible, he says, but he also points out that the key thing is how the war has brought the Ukrainian people closer together. "Even we who have left home are fighting in our own ways, helping our country as much as we can. I try to help my friends to get out of danger spots, I take part in volunteer activities online and give my best. I am proud to be Ukrainian."
Medium: Dnevnik.si
Authors Tadeja Lukanc
Date: Tuesday 8 March 2022
Link: Young Ukrainian musicians arrive | Dnevnik