On March 9, 2025, a grand concert-honoring Taras Shevchenko “Trans of Taras” took place in Toronto, Canada, organized by the Ensembles of the Ukrainian Youth Union, Toronto branch, the League of Ukrainian Women of Canada and the League of Ukrainian Men of Canada, Toronto branches, with the participation of students and teachers of Ukrainian schools under the auspices of the School Council of the UCC Toronto.
The concert was attended by the creative teams of the CYM Toronto Ensembles: the youth ensemble ’’Prolisok’’ (conductor Olesya Konyk, musical accompaniment Larisa Kukharenko), the choir ’’Dibrova’’ (director Olesya Konyk, musical accompaniment Larisa Kukharenko), the choir ’’Dzvin’’ (director Anton Yeretsky, musical accompaniment Oksana Skira), the children’s choir ’’Zhaivir’’ (director Olesya Konyk, musical accompaniment Oksana Skira).
The audience was captivated by the performances of the kobzars and bandura players, who created a special atmosphere of honoring our Kobzar: the group “Kobzari” (director Honored Artist of Ukraine Viktor Mishalov) and the bandura bandura players named after V. Zelinska (musical director Oksana Zelinska-Shevchuk).
Particularly moving and inspiring were the performances of students and teachers of Ukrainian schools, who represented the School Council of the UCC Toronto. Shevchenko’s words were recited, songs were sung to his words, and theatrical and dance compositions were demonstrated. The following took part in the concert: Yuriy Lypa Ukrainian Heritage School, St. Nicholas School, Oakville Native School, St. Volodymyr’s School, Pavlo Yuzyk Academy, I. Franko School in Toronto, and the New School.
The entire concert program was built in the form of T. Shevchenko’s reflections (the role of the lyrical hero was played by Danylo Sokolyk, Oleksandr Vladyka, Ivan Stefanyuk) and intertwined with modernity.
The script for the wonderful concert was created by Natalka Popovych (chairwoman of the Toronto LUokK), and the host of the concert program Olena Zborivska skillfully guided the audience through Taras’s paths and ended the concert with inspiring words:
“Warriors fight for freedom with a sword, Shevchenko fought with a word. And his word was passed on to the fighters for freedom – Sich riflemen, UPA soldiers, sixties, fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
We hear you, Kobzar, Through the centuries!”
The sponsor of the event, the Buduchnist Credit Union-BCU Financial Group, congratulated the organizers and participants of the holiday with Shevchenko’s words:
“Fight – you will overcome,
God helps you!
For you is the truth,
For you is glory
And the will is holy!”
At the end of the concert “On Taras’ Paths”, the audience traditionally performed “The Testament” (lyrics by T. Shevchenko, music by K. Stetsenko) and Ukrainian Praise (lyrics by P. Chubynsky and music by Fr. M. Verbytsky).
We thank the organizers, volunteers, and participants for their dedication to the Ukrainian cause.
Oksana Sydorchuk-Sokolyk
