We are excited to share with you our series Razom Says Dyakuyu. “Dyakuyu” means “thank you” in Ukrainian. Our work supporting Ukraine and getting humanitarian aid on the ground where it is needed most, would not be possible without the generous donations made by donors. With this series, we are highlighting some of the amazing donors and unique fundraisers that have supported Razom.
The power of fundraising lies in the power of communities. When Vadim Fedotov, a retired principal dancer of the Taras Shevchenko National Opera House of Ukraine and a resident of Florida, shared his vision of bringing the National Ballet to Orlando with his friend Marc McMurrin of the Ginsburg Family Foundation, a plan was born. Having spent significant time in Ukraine and come to call it his second home, Marc loved the idea of bringing the abundant Ukrainian culture to Orlando, his native place.
After four months of careful planning, on August 27, the prestigious Steinmetz Hall welcomed thousands of Orlando residents and guests from out of state for a performance of the National Ballet of Ukraine. The evening yielded $800,000 raised for humanitarian relief in Ukraine. Razom is grateful to be one of the beneficiaries of this incredible effort by the Orlando community.
“We stand with the Ukrainian people and are honored to have Razom as one of the beneficiaries for this event raising funds and bringing awareness for a more prosperous and victorious Ukraine” – Alan H. Ginsburg
Highlighting Ukrainian culture, the program featured excerpts from some of the most breathtaking classical ballets. You can learn more about the project and watch the entire performance at https://ukraineballetbenefit.com/.
The evening also honored and paid tribute to Vadim Fedotov who had passed untimely several months prior to the Benefit concert — a concert he had envisioned. Maestro Fedotov choreographed two of the pieces in the program: Myroslav Skoryk’s “Melody” and “Mariupol” set to the music by Mozart. The latter featured striking images of destroyed Mariupol buildings. The dancers of the National Ballet that transformed the viewer included the incomparable Olena Filipieva. Maestro Sergii Golubnychyi conducted the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra presenting to the attendees Ukrainian composers among the more traditional ballet fare.
As the guests entered the building, the Bach Festival Choir conducted by Viktoriia Konchakovskaya sang a selection of Ukrainian songs. The Bach Festival Choir also performed American/Ukrainian national anthems and the Prayer for Ukraine later in the program. Guests were asked to wear Ukrainian National colors, and sunflowers decorated the reception hall.
The entire cost of the performance was underwritten by presenting sponsors: Ginsburg Family Foundation, Nemours Children’s Health, Universal Orlando, Dr. Phillips Center, Haddock Family Foundation, Rosen Hotels & Resorts and Kathy Morgan & Marty Rubin, which enabled 100% of all ticket sales, sponsorships, as well as proceeds from Silent and Live Auctions to go to causes benefiting Ukraine.
Razom would also like to thank our partners, Ukraine Veteran Fund, and Svitlana Kashenets for suggesting Razom as a beneficiary of the concert.