Citizens of Easton showed their support for citizens of Ukraine fighting with their lives for the life of their nation and democracies everywhere against the unprovoked invasion ordered by Russia’s dictator and early candidate for the title of Greatest War Criminal of the 21st Century.
The horror inflicted indiscriminately on Ukraine’s armed defenders and unarmed innocents alike was the unspoken subtext of the concert Friday night at a packed Avalon Theatre. Led by The Gerdan World Music Ensemble, the one-hour-plus performance benefited United Help Ukraine to the tune of more than $6,000 – 100 percent of which the humanitarian relief organization pledged to direct toward food, water, shelter, hygiene, therapy and cash for other needs of beleaguered and often bereft Ukrainians.
The only political symbol of the evening was the blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag hanging unfurled on the back wall of the stage.
The concert, which was sponsored by Carpe Diem Arts, was a celebration of Ukrainian culture so rich in beauty and creativity, was at once appropriate and a source of anxiety. How could such inhumanity be inflicted on fellow human beings in this new millennium? To quote the late Pete Seeger in his song about where all the flowers have gone – “When will they ever learn?” – the answer apparently is: “Never.”
Except for the Spy interview in advance of the concert, we could hardly imagine what it must be like for versatile virtuoso flutist Andrei Pidkivka, whose mother and extended family are trapped in the besieged capital of Kyiv. Playing myriad Eastern European flutes – from the dozen-hole tenor ocarina to the beyond-head-high fujara, a cross between clarinet and bassoon – helps take his mind off the war and his stolen peace of mind. In concert, he follows the lead, along with Kalin Kirilov on accordion, from vibrant vocalist/violinist Solomia Gorokhivska. In nimble interludes, Roman Mykyta led a small Ukrainian-costumed company of dancers in folk dances and a romantic mini-ballet.
There were no direct references to weapons of war or military tactical support – just pleas for help for a free nation in dire need and thanks for whatever generosity the audience could deliver past the modest $10 ticketed admission.
In contrast, several U.S. senators with 2024 presidential ambitions seek to make Ukrainian freedom a partisan issue, along with our own freedom in that none of them recognize the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election, pretending that the Jan. 6 insurrection to overthrow the people’s verdict didn’t really happen. It is fair to criticize President Joe Biden over the deadly withdrawal of U.S. presence in Afghanistan or any other policy issue, for that matter. But for a U.S. senator to blame Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Biden is a fulsome allegiance to lies that are an insult to the intelligence of general election voters. They must think we’re all really stupid.
It may be free speech. But Senators Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley and Rick Scott, Republicans from Texas, Missouri and Florida – all carried by Donald Trump in his 2020 defeat which he and they still have not acknowledged – now speak out loud against freedom. Instead, they favor rule by military might and elections that actually ARE rigged. The blame for the invasion of Ukraine is on Vladimir Putin. Period. To those who think it’s a winning presidential proposition to run on pinning this war of choice on Joe Biden, I say, try funding your campaign in rubles.
Steve Parks is a retired journalist now living in freedom in his native Easton, Maryland.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.