>Literary foray through Ukraine: Reading in Pritzwalk!

>Literary foray through Ukraine: Reading in Pritzwalk!

Ukraine is in focus, in several respects. In Pritzwalk, visitors can expect a special reading entitled “Voices of Ukraine” in St. Nikolai Church on June 20th at 7 p.m. Organized by the Evangelical Church Community of Pritzwalk, the Berlin actors Jan Uplegger and Mareile Metzner give a literary foray through the eventful history and culture of this country. Musical contributions from refugee singers such as Iryna Lazer, Iryna Razin-Kravchenko and Nataliia Kuprynenko as well as Daniil Zverkhanovsky on the electric guitar round off the program and offer an atmospheric portrait of Ukraine.

But what does “Votes of Ukraine” mean? It is not only a reading, but also an opportunity to hear the voices of people suffering from the effects of the ongoing war. This is an issue that is not only important in a cultural context, but also reflects the emotional and social scars of the conflict. After the reading, a discussion session invites the audience to exchange ideas about the past and future of Ukraine.

Cultural resilience

The war in Ukraine not only destroyed livelihoods, but also severely affected cultural activities. According to Deutschlandfunk Kultur, culture is viewed there as a vital bond that gives strength to exhausted people. This is even more urgent in view of the Russian attacks on Ukrainian culture, which obviously fear its identity-forming power.

The “Cultural Political Salon” took place in the German Theater in Berlin on June 1, 2022, which discussed the challenges of Ukrainian culture in the face of war. Here it became clear that the Russian Federation is trying to delegitimize Ukrainian culture by mixing it with its own and suppressing its expressions.

Interest in Ukrainian culture is growing

But the events have also strengthened interest in Ukrainian culture in Europe. More and more people are becoming interested in Ukrainian art and literature, a trend illustrated by events such as “Voices of Ukraine”. Readings, concerts and exhibitions are increasingly taking place so that Ukrainian artists can raise their voices in exile, as the project for Ukrainian cultural workers shows.

In addition, a new law in Ukraine reflects how important language is for national identity: culture must increasingly take place in Ukrainian, which leads to a conscious use of the Russian language.

The reading on June 20th in Pritzwalk will be more than just a literary event. It represents an important cultural anchor point and helps keep Ukraine's diverse stories and rich culture alive. Anyone interested has the opportunity to make a contribution - the event is not only free, but also supports a fundraiser for humanitarian aid in Ukraine, as can be read on Guardini.

Join us and be carried away by the power of Ukrainian voices as they are heard amid the silence of war.