Metro: Cultural Forces of Ukraine stops Detroit on the road

More than two years have passed since Russia invaded the Ukrainian mainland on February 24, 2022. The war has not only impacted the lives of millions of people, leading to widespread displacement and loss, but also caused many in the country to reflect on our country’s place in the world.

Beyond the battlefield, Ukrainians at home and abroad continue to fight for their cultural identity and morale. One of the initiatives created on the front lines of the war is the Cultural Forces of Ukraine, a group of servicemen who were professional artists before the war.

They are currently visiting the United States as part of a musical tour in gratitude to America. Valery Shyrokov, Taras Stoliar and Olha Rukavishnikova joined the team subway on Tuesday for a talk and live performance.

In April, the United States provided $61 billion in aid to Ukraine. Without U.S. help, Ukrainians suffer losses on a daily basis, says Shirokov. The Cultural Forces of Ukraine recently visited the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Cleveland.

“I mentioned the museum workers to say, ‘Listen, every day that you delay helping us, we write our names, the names of our soldiers and sailors, on our walls at home in Ukraine,'” Shirokov says. “We are suffering losses, please continue to help. Without you we will suffer more.”

The Ukrainian cultural forces will then perform in Kalamazoo before heading to Chicago.

“When the war started, they put down their musical instruments and took up arms to defend their homeland,” says Shirokov. “Now they are back to playing music, which is a much more powerful tool to convey the message about the war in Ukraine here on American soil.”

More headlines from subway 11 June:

• A new study appears to indicate that more than 1,000 Americans have died in the Canadian fires, including twenty in Detroit. Cornell University public health and ecosystems professor Alistair Hayden joined the show to discuss what we can do to protect ourselves from wildfire smoke.
• Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County is relocating one of its stores where it accepts and picks up gently used home improvement items. Executive Director and CEO Michele Hodges joined the show to talk about how the new location will serve more people.