KU groups to host night of poetry, music, cocktails to raise funds to host displaced Ukrainians

photo by: Elvyn Jones/Journal-World

About 75 people gather Sunday afternoon, Feb. 27, 2022, in front of the Douglas County Courthouse at 11th and Massachusetts streets to demonstrate in support of Ukraine's fight against an invasion from neighboring Russia.

A variety of University of Kansas groups are joining together to sponsor a night of music, poetry and discussion to raise money and awareness for an effort to host displaced Ukrainian students and scholars.

The event is slated for 7 p.m. on April 18 at Maceli’s Banquet Hall, 1031 New Hampshire St. It will feature:

• Opening remarks by KU Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer detailing KU’s efforts to support Ukrainian students and scholars.

• Personal accounts of Ukrainian life during wartime from KU Slavic and Eurasian languages & literatures faculty members Oleksandra Wallo and Vitaly Chernetsky.

• Performances of Ukrainian poetry from KU Department of Theatre & Dance faculty members Laura Kirk, David Ruis Fisher and Jane Barnette. In addition, KU doctoral student Marzi Ashrafian will perform a dramatic composition in conjunction with the poetry.

• A variety of Ukrainian music performed by cellist Elena Bosworth and several musicians from the Kansas City area, in addition to KU School of Music faculty member Boris Vayner.

The event is free to attend, but will feature a cash bar with all proceeds from bar sales supporting the KU Ukraine Education Fund. KU Endowment officials also will be on hand to accept donations that can be specifically earmarked for university activities related to supporting Ukraine.

KU is collaborating with Ukrainian Global University, an emerging consortium of higher education institutions in Ukraine, to identify needs and hosting opportunities for displaced students and scholars. KU has said it has an interest in hosting on the Lawrence campus displaced Ukrainian students and scholars.

KU’s Department of Slavic and Eurasian Languages & Literatures has worked with KU International Affairs and the KU Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies to create a dedicated fund to accept donations to host Ukrainian students and scholars.