Opera Highlights Ukraine’s Plight

First Lady Olena Zelenska recently attended the world premiere of the opera “Mothers of Kherson” at the National Opera of Ukraine, a significant cultural event that also drew attention to the ongoing crisis involving the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russian forces. During the event, Zelenska met with key figures including Keri-Lynn Wilson, the opera’s conductor, and Peter Gelb, General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

“Mothers of Kherson” tells the harrowing tale of two mothers who travel over 4,000 kilometers through war-torn regions to rescue their daughters from captivity in Crimea. The opera, based on true stories of women who successfully retrieved their children from Russian-occupied areas, was co-commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera and the Polish National Opera in Warsaw, featuring performances by the National Opera of Ukraine’s orchestra and chorus, the Children’s Choir of the M. V. Lysenko Kyiv State Music Lyceum, and the Kyiv Camerata ensemble.

In her speech, Zelenska expressed gratitude to the international community for spotlighting the abduction issue, revealing that over 20,000 children have been taken, with only a fraction returned through global efforts. This premiere coincided with the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, amplifying its impact. The First Lady emphasized the importance of global awareness and action to ensure the safe return of these children to their families, condemning the aggression that has already resulted in the deaths of at least 707 children in Ukraine since the conflict began.

The event also saw the presentation of a vinyl record to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by Keri-Lynn Wilson, symbolizing the cultural and diplomatic bridges being built through such artistic endeavors. Zelenska’s presence and remarks underscored the broader narrative of resilience and the quest for justice by the Ukrainian people amidst ongoing conflict.