Ukraine is fighting for freedom – for itself and the world. Besieged by a tyrannical regime who seeks to destroy our people, sovereignty, and culture. Many theatres, museums, and concert halls renowned for their architecture, art, and music now lay in ruins – bombed, looted, desecrated. Our existence and history are under threat like never before.
But amid this darkness, there is light. The spirit of the Ukrainian people is alive wherever we draw breath and strengthens our resilience to defend our lands. As this curtain rises, the National Ballet of Ukraine from the Taras Shevchenko National Opera and Ballet Theater embark as ambassadors on a daring charitable tour across North America which we support and endorse with great pride.
These dancers are not simply showcasing Ukrainian culture, they are preserving it, reminding the world that our identity has always been our own. Let every movement, graceful step, and daring leap tell of Ukraine’s amazing history and the countless preceding generations that made us who we are.
The humanitarian needs across Ukraine today are profound. From emergency needs on the frontlines, to shelter for children in schools, and kindergartens. From digital devices for those displaced to continue their education, to the reconstruction of our homes and hospitals. The organisers of this tour are supporting qualified charitable organisations which work across Ukraine to help our people survive and rebuild. But they cannot accomplish this alone.
In this hour of need, we turn to you, our friends in North America, for love and support. We wish you enjoy amazing performances, feel inspired with Ukrainian culture, and be sure that only life can triumph over death, only light can overcome darkness, and only beauty can defeat destruction. Only together we will win.
Funds raised during this incredible tour will be directed to charity. So, the funds will go to support Ukrainians and our children. All participants will become a part of our mission – to restore and improve the lives of people in Ukraine. To become stronger than we were, despite this brutal war.
Thank you for standing in solidarity with the Ukrainian people amid our continued struggle for democracy, dignity, and the future.
Olena Zelenska
First Lady of Ukraine
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Every day, innocent civilians bear the brunt of this war, especially children, the elderly, those with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. The United Nations reports that at least 6million Ukrainians have fled to neighboring countries or farther abroad, with another 5 million internally displaced by ongoing violence. People in displacement centers and communities living on the frontline in damaged homes without access to heating are particularly at risk. With winter fast approaching, millions of Ukrainians need immediate humanitarian assistance– everything from food and water to shelter and medicine.
The deliberate destruction of Ukrainian theaters, museums, music halls and UNESCO heritage sites has been a consistent feature of the conflict, amounting to a cultural genocide. Artists, musicians, dancers, writers, poets and creatives of all kinds have fled the country – including some members of the National Ballet of Ukraine performing on this tour. While many have plied their craft abroad, others’ livelihoods have been destroyed, jeopardizing Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage.
Your attendance at these dazzling performances across Canada supports the arts and talented artists in exile, while sponsorships and individual donations directly fund non-profits operating in Ukraine. HUMANITE and the Olena Zelenska Foundation work directly with Ukrainian families to provide crisis relief, refugee aid, and seed long-term projects to rebuild the country once peace prevails.
HUMANITE is a global peace collective working to reduce the inequalities and exclusions in fragile states that lead to violence. Founded by refugees and war survivors, HUMANITE takes a unique, survivor-led approach to local peace, prioritizing full-cycle support for the communities it serves, before, during, and after war.
With over 15 years of experience together, HUMANITE’s founding team has raised $100M, served 2M people, and created over $1B in economic uplift. Their humanitarian work has been covered by The New York Times, CNN, The Washington Post, the BBC, Al Jazeera, and countless others.
As an organization founded by refugees and war survivors, HUMANITE challenges the status quo of humanitarian aid and brings a fresh, local perspective to the sector, aiming to raise the quality of work and impact for people in need.
On September 22, 2022, Olena Zelenska presented her Foundation during a charity evening in New York City during the 77th UN General Assembly. The Foundation’s primary goal is to restore Ukraine’s human capital so that every Ukrainian feels physically and mentally healthy, protected, and able to exercise their right to education, work, and build a future in Ukraine. The Foundation has three key directions: healthcare, education and humanitarian aid. Within these areas, the Foundation provides targeted assistance to Ukrainians who have lost their homes due to the war, as well as to large foster families from the frontline regions. It supplies technology to teachers and students who cannot attend schools due to the war, and also repairs shelters in schools and kindergartens. The key healthcare project is the restoration of the Izium Hospital in the Kharkiv region.
“The humanitarian needs across Ukraine today are profound. In this hour of need, we turn to you, our friends in North America, for love and support. We wish you enjoy amazing performances, feel inspired with Ukrainian culture, and be sure that only life can triumph over death, only light can overcome darkness, and only beauty can defeat destruction.”
– First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska
