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Blues on a bandura blow minds in Epsom

Ukrainian refugee musicians delighted a packed audience in the Epsom Methodist Church Saturday 30th July. On behalf of the local community Mayor of Epsom and Ewell Cllr Clive Woodbridge extended a warm welcome to all Ukrainian refugees and thanked the sacrifices of local hosts who have taken them into their homes.

Mayor Clive Woodbridge welcomes Ukrainian refugees

Organised by Lionel Blackman with Nina Kaye of Epsom Refugee Network and Surrey Stands With Ukraine, the evening was compered by Darina Dvorinchenko, a refugee from Odessa, who also conducted all the required interpretation.

In response to the Mayor professional pianist Natalia Zadorizhna expressed the deep gratitude to our community for all we are doing in standing with her country in the “evil time”. And that gratitude was demonstrated by fine performances also from her young daughter Diana, who played the piano and recited from memory and in English the Ukrainian poem “Love Ukraine” by Volodymyr Sosiura.

Packed audience at epsom methodist church
Packed audience at Epsom Methodist Church

Young Liza Pryiemska played piano, recited the poem in Ukrainian and sang beautifully. 21 year old Tetiana Zheliba at short notice replacing an artist who fell sick, took to the fine grand piano at EMC for two compositions.

Young 16 year old Nika Vlasova played Schubert’s “The Bee” solo on violin.

Like a winged harp carrying angel Yulia Komyshan, recently arrived from Ukraine, had heard about the event on a social network and simply turned up unannounced, Bandura in hand. She crowned the night with the audience standing to the national song and included in her performance was a remarkable rendition of a blues number. She certainly blew the blues away. The audience all rose to their feet in a sustained ovation for these remarkably talented and brave Ukrainians.

Darina Dvorinchenko, Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, Natalia and Diana Zadorizhna, Liza Pryiemska, Tetiana Zheliba, Nika Vlasova and Yuliya Komyshan with her Ukrainian bandura.
Darina Dvorinchenko, Mayor of Epsom and Ewell Cllr Clive Woodbridge, Natalia and Diana Zadorizhna, Liza Pryiemska, Tetiana Zheliba, Nika Vlasova and Yuliya Komyshan with her Ukrainian bandura.