Musical and Poetic Evening in Sacramento: Words that Heal and Music that Sustains Our People

On December 7, a charitable music and poetry evening took place in Sacramento, bringing the Ukrainian community together around words, melodies, and a great common goal — to support Ukrainian defenders.

In a warm atmosphere, where prayer, memory, and creative energy merged, dozens of people gathered to feel the power of art and join a good cause.

The program centered around original songs and musical compositions by military chaplain Oleksiy Basarab. His voice, tempered by the roads of the front, filled with experienced pain and unwavering faith, became a living testimony for the listeners of what the Ukrainian people are going through today.

Each song sounded like a prayer, like a story from the front lines, like the breath of those holding the line of defense.

The poetic part of the evening was presented by Ivanna Andreyiv — a Ukrainian poet, educator, and editor of the newspaper “Hromada.” Her poems, born between war and hope, became the voice of love, memory, and spiritual resilience. In her lines, Ukraine resonated — in mothers, in fields, in warriors, in those preserving culture, even while far from home.

Victoria Smyk, host of the radio program “Good Evening, We Are from Ukraine”, provided masterful and warm accompaniment. Her words subtly connected all elements of the program, maintained an atmosphere of unity and trust, and created a space where music and poetry sounded in unison.

A particularly touching moment was the minute of gratitude and prayer for Ukrainian soldiers. The light of candles placed in the hall became a symbol of memory and unquenchable faith — a symbol that even in dark times, the people find the light that leads forward.

All collected funds were donated to the needs of Ukrainian defenders.

The Sacramento community once again demonstrated: distance does not separate us from Ukraine — it only strengthens our responsibility and desire to act.

We express our sincere gratitude to the Ukrainian Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sacramento for supporting the event, providing a warm welcome, and offering the venue. It was thanks to their open doors and sacrificial heart that this evening could take place.

Special thanks to all the organizations and volunteers who participated in the preparation, helped with technical support, decoration, guest reception, and fundraising.

These are people who work quietly but create greatness.

And as long as we create such evenings together — evenings of music, words, memory, and hope — we become closer to the day when Ukraine will meet its peaceful dawn.

For the strength of the community is the strength of the people. And the strength of the people is something no enemy can overcome.