On the anniversary of the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, actions were held all over the world in support of the people of Ukraine, their invincibility and sovereignty, and their Armed Forces. This date did not go unnoticed in San Francisco. On February 24, at 7:00 pm, a concert was held in the Grand Cathedral (Grace Cathedral) under the direction of Gregory Hallick-Holutiak, conductor of the Ukrainian National Choir of California. The hall was packed. The concert began with the anthem of Ukraine and then the anthem “God, the Great, the Only, Save Us Ukraine,” the performance of which was greeted by all present with a standing ovation and joint singing. The hall honored the memory of the Ukrainians who died in this war with a minute of silence.
The concert program was diverse: in addition to the choral performance, there were solo numbers by both singers and musicians, the bandura played by Olga Gerasimenko-Oliynyk, the sound of overtures and melodies by Ukrainian composers performed by a symphony orchestra conducted by Maestro Diego Hernandez. Majestic sounds rose up under the dome of the cathedral and fell into the heart of each person present with small drops of nourishing music. The magic of singing, music, and patriotic uplift filled the entire hall.
In conclusion, the choir performed “God Bless America.” The applause lasted for a long time, the audience did not want to let go of the concert performers, its leaders. Special thanks were expressed to the pastors, the governing council of the cathedral, and the sponsor of the concert, which took place that evening with a sense of Christian unity.
The main characters of this evening were the choristers, musicians, soloists, and conductors. Great gratitude and respect to them!
An even greater action in support of the struggle of the Ukrainian people against the aggressor was the rally held on February 25 at Harry Bridges Plaza in San Francisco. The square quickly filled with Ukrainian flags, slogans, streamers, and Ukrainian embroidery. The rally began at 12:00 noon with the anthem of Ukraine, sung by all present, and a minute of silence for the dead. The leader of the rally, the permanent host, Maria Cherepenko, who has been leading many actions of the Ukrainian diaspora in recent decades in San Francisco, gave the floor to the priests of Ukrainian churches: the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church - Petro Dyachko and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Georgiy Tyapko, who in their speeches called on those present to pray for the fate of Ukraine, for its defenders, for the victory of Ukraine, for the victory of universal good over universal evil. After that, the floor was given to the Consul of Ukraine in San Francisco - Dmytro Kushniruk, who greeted those present and expressed gratitude to all Ukrainians and Americans for supporting our people, the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the war against the Russian invasion and who expressed hope that victory will be ours. A number of representatives of Ukrainian public organizations of the diaspora, representatives of other countries: Belarus, Georgia, Iran, spoke at the rally. Speaking, they called for international condemnation of Russian aggression and comprehensive support for the Ukrainian army and the Ukrainian people. There were shouts of "Death to Putin!", "Shame on Russia!" "Long live Ukraine!" and many others.
The rally itself lasted until two in the afternoon, and then all those present at the rally marched from Pier No. 1 to Pier 39. Ukrainian flags fluttered in one direction and another for half an hour. The main flag was stretched along the column carried by men. The marchers were upbeat, encouraged, shouted slogans in support of Ukraine, sang Ukrainian songs, and the passers-by who stood on either side supported us with their waves and shouts.
The weather was wonderful that day: the sun was shining, there was a cloudless blue sky above the heads of the demonstrators. Everyone who was at this rally, warmed by the sun, filled with a sense of pride, a fulfilled patriotic duty, dispersed around the city, home. This is how a large, long rally and march in support of Ukraine in San Francisco took place.
Glory to Ukraine!