To the Editor:

A capacity audience of 1,000 listened to Ukraine’s National Symphony Orchestra performance at McCarter on the afternoon of Super Bowl Sunday, February 11. On behalf of Princeton’s small Ukrainian-American community, we’d like to thank McCarter’s impressive team, especially Debbie Bisno for her detailed execution, and Martin Miller, Paula Abreu, and Kelly Ryman for their efforts and engagement with both the audience and musicians. Special thanks to Princeton University’s Patrick Caddeau and Maria Garlock of Forbes College for hosting a warm reception, providing an opportunity for the orchestra members to engage with University students, faculty, and administrators as well as local dignitaries and leaders of Ukrainian-American organizations. Sunday’s performance was also supported by Princeton University’s Humanities Council, Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination, and caring community members.

Bill Lockwood was instrumental in bringing Ukraine’s National Symphony Orchestra to McCarter before COVID and before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We are grateful to Princeton University for its efforts in this sphere and also for its generous support of eight visiting scholars from Ukraine. More broadly, the opportunity of hearing Ukraine’s first symphony, composed by Maxim Berezovsky in 1770, plays a part in raising awareness of the richness and depth of Ukraine’s distinct heritage and culture. The world-class musicians who performed for us on Sunday, as part of their nationwide U.S. tour, are true examples of the resilience and professionalism of the Ukrainian people.

Areta Pawlynsky
Prospect Avenue

Lydia Zaininger
East Shore Drive