Alina Herasymenko had no idea that when she fled her home in Ukraine with only her cello, computer, and a little food, she would soon be performing in the Vancouver Orchestra. Herasymenko was born and raised in the Donetsk region, where firsthand experiences of conflict and its impact prompted her family to move to Western Ukraine in 2014. Fast forward to 2022, when the Russian invasion of Ukraine began – bombs were dropped right outside of her apartment, leading her to flee the country alone and arrive in Canada as a refugee. Fortunately, a host family welcomed her with open arms and introduced her to Suzanne de Montigny’s piece, Volodymyr’s Plea, dedicated to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A few months later, Herasymenko was invited to perform in the Ukrainian Folk Orchestra in Vancouver, playing the cello for Montigny’s specific composition.
For Herasymenko, performing Volodymyr’s Plea feels like destiny. She said the moment she heard it, she felt a deep connection and as if the music had been waiting for her, “It was as if the music had been waiting for me. I knew it was meant to be.” She continues to play the piece to remind both Canadians and Ukrainians of the ongoing war in her home country. The composer, Suzanne de Montigny, took inspiration from Zelenskyy’s pleas to Canada’s parliament after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Montigny said she was impressed by Zelenskyy’s passionate plea and resilience, and her greatest wish is for the piece to reach Zelenskyy himself so he knows of their support.
On a Saturday evening at The Orpheum, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Day of Music, Volodymyr’s Plea was performed by Herasymenko and guest violinist, Kai Chow. While Herasymenko’s family remains in Ukraine, with some still in the Donetsk region, she is optimistic about finding work in Vancouver as she rebuilds her life. Herasymenko used to be a web designer, IT manager, and cultural manager in Ukraine.
Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc, reported this story in 2023.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
