Two internationally acclaimed harpists, Veronika Lemishenko and Elinor Bennett, are set to perform at a special benefit concert in Bangor, North Wales, to raise funds for children with profound learning disabilities in war-torn Ukraine.
The concert will take place at Powis Hall, Bangor University, on Thursday, November 21, at 7:30 PM. Lemishenko, who hails from Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, will perform a selection of solo pieces and duets with Bennett, the concert’s organiser.
Elinor Bennett, a renowned harpist who studied under the legendary Osian Ellis, said, “It will be a unique opportunity to hear a world-renowned harpist perform in North Wales, and it’s an event not to be missed.” Bennett is also a co-founder of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre) in Caernarfon.
In addition to Lemishenko and Bennett, the concert will feature performances from young musicians from Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias, the Bangor University Chamber Choir conducted by Guto Puw, and Côr Cofnod from Caernarfon.
The concert is part of a series of fundraising events being organised by Lemishenko’s charitable foundation across Europe in 2024. The Veronika Lemishenko Charitable Foundation was established nearly seven years ago in Ukraine and has been working to support children and families affected by the ongoing war.
Lemishenko’s mother, Alla, now resides in Gwynedd and teaches young musicians locally, while her brother lives in Italy and her grandmother remains in Lviv, western Ukraine.
Speaking about the foundation’s evolution since the war began, Elinor Bennett explained, “Before the Russian military aggression of 2022, the foundation focused on promoting the harp art in Ukraine and supporting talented Ukrainian harpists and composers. Now, the foundation is collaborating with Glowing Harp, an international project that includes competitions, festivals, masterclasses, recitals, and other musical events.”
Since the war’s outbreak, Lemishenko’s fundraising efforts have raised approximately £34,000. All proceeds from the benefit concert will go towards supporting Ukraine, with funds directed to volunteer organizations, medical institutions, and animal shelters. The foundation also helps purchase equipment and provides financial aid to educational institutions, especially those like Kharkiv’s, where offline lessons are impossible without bomb shelters.
Lemishenko added, “Thanks to the Glowing Harp project, 15 students aged 8 to 24 have found new opportunities to continue their education in countries including England, Poland, Germany, France, and Canada.”
Veronika Lemishenko is no stranger to North Wales, having attended the Wales International Harp Festival at Galeri Caernarfon since 2014, and she has many friends in the area.
Elinor Bennett shared, “Veronika feels very much at home in Wales, though life has been incredibly hard for Ukrainians since the Russian invasion. The Lemishenko family, like many, has faced unimaginable challenges.”
During the concert, the two harpists will perform a duet titled Cambria, composed by Welsh harpist John Thomas, also known as Pencerdd Gwalia. The piece is based on several Welsh melodies, including Gadlys, Y Ferch o’r Scêr, and Tros y Garreg.
Additionally, they will perform Souvenir, a piece by Ukrainian composer Evgen Andreev, who hails from Kharkiv. Andreev’s music has been performed by young harpists worldwide. Veronika noted that while Andreev’s music continues to be heard globally, the Kharkiv State Musical Lyceum, where his children study, has resumed classes online due to the ongoing threat from the frontline.
The concert at Powis Hall, Bangor University, will begin at 7:30 PM on Thursday, November 21. Admission is free, but donations will be collected at the end of the performance to support the cause.
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