On Sunday night, Volodymyr Zelensky gave a pre-recorded address at the Grammy Awards. Last month, the Ukrainian President had sought a chance to speak at the 94th Academy Awards, but he was not visible at the ceremony.
On Sunday night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise cameo at the Grammy Awards. Last month, the Ukrainian President had sought a chance to speak at the 94th Academy Awards, but he was not present at the ceremony. He did, however, have a chance to speak at the Grammy Awards, where he urged people to support Ukraine. Also read| Grammy Awards 2022 highlights: India’s Falguni Shah and Pakistan’s Arooj Aftab take home the first prizes; BTS lose to Doja Cat.
Just before John Legend devoted a performance to the people of Ukraine as they confront the Russian invasion, a pre-recorded address by Volodymyr was aired during the award event. Volodymyr compared the conflict to the reverse of music in his statement, pleading for support for Ukraine.
“The war,” he explained. What could be more diametrically opposed than music? The quiet of shattered cities and individuals who have been slaughtered. Instead of shooting stars, our youngsters draw swooping rockets. Over 400 youngsters were hurt, and 153 perished, and we will never see them sketch again. Our parents are grateful to be alive, even though they are in bomb shelters. Our loved ones are unsure if we will ever be reunited. We don’t get to select who lives or dies in the conflict who survives and who stays in eternal silence.”
Zelensky
Following Volodymyr’s address, John Legend performed a new song called Free, for which he was accompanied by some Ukrainian musicians. Siuzanna Iglidan, a Denver resident who is originally from Odessa, Ukraine, and Ukrainian singer and actor Mika Newton, whose sister is serving in the Ukrainian army, performed at the event. Lyuba Yakimchuk, a poet who reportedly left Ukraine only days before the war, was also in attendance.
“Our musicians wear body armour instead of tuxedos,” the Ukrainian President noted in his address on his country’s artists. They sing to the sick and injured in hospitals, even if they are unable to hear them. However, the music will eventually burst through. We fight for our right to live, love, and make music. On our soil, we are battling Russia, which uses its weapons to create a horrific stillness – a dead silence. Your music will fill the void. To tell our story, fill it out today.”
Grammys made an appeal to donate to Global Citizen’s relief effort in ForUkra after his speech and subsequent performance led by John Legend.
“Tell the truth about this war on your social networks, on television,” he continued. Please assist us in any manner you can. Any — but certainly not quiet. Then peace will return to all of our cities that have been devastated by the conflict, including Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Volnovakha, Mariupol, and others. They’re already legendary, but I’d like to see them live — and free, like you on the Grammy stage.”
Grammys made a call to donate to Global Citizen’s relief work in ForUkra after his address and following performance lead by John Legend.