International

From CAFExchange:

A cultural exchange between the people of Cuba and those of Vermont. Please join us for this multi-day exhibition of four Cuban photographers. This is not an exhibition of tourist photos of Cuba, but rather a presentation of the Cuban artists and their explorations of environment, people, and society. Photographesrs: Tomás Inda Barrera, Alfredo Sarabia Fajardo, Nadieshda Inda González, Yadira Ismael Sotomayor.

On May 27 and 28, 2023, Burlington will be the Capital of Africa for a Weekend.

This celebration features an afternoon of music, including a performance by folk singer Mikahely from Madagascar, a discussion on "The New Scramble for Africa," and delicious Afrocentric food on Saturday, May 27, from 3 to 8 PM, at 300 Maple St. Burlington.

Sponsoring groups are the Vermont Institute for Community and International Involvement (VICII), a non-profit, educational organization based in Burlington, Vermont; Toward Freedom, a news and analysis publication offering a grassroots perspective on world events and the Caroline Fund, helping women in crisis lead healthy and productive lives.

Africa Day (formerly African Freedom Day and African Liberation Day) is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organization of African Unity on May 25, 1963. It is celebrated in various countries on the African continent, as well as around the world.

From the organizer:

Jurij Fedynskyj, a 48-year-old Ukrainian American, was born in the United States and has resided in Ukraine for the past 23 years. Jurij is a musician, researcher and instrument maker, who for decades has been reviving the lost music and spiritual tradition of the Kobzar. The Kobzar were traveling musicians, storytellers and spiritual leaders who for centuries went all around Ukraine spreading their art and wisdom.

With the rise of Stalin and the Soviet Union control over Ukraine, the Kobzar were killed, their instruments destroyed, and their traditions almost forgotten. Almost. Jurij and his colleagues work to recreate lost traditional instruments, including the kobza, the bandura and the torban.

Jurij has witnessed the current war in Ukraine first-hand. When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Jurij and his fellow musicians performed at checkpoints, barracks, and shelters. Wherever possible, his guild performed for desperate civilians and soldiers alike.

On his stop in Shelburne Vermont, part of his North American Tour, Jurij carries on the Kobzar tradition, hoping to enrich the world and share the truth about what Ukraine really is through historic songs which have preserved the emotions and national character of Ukraine.

Jurij's performs his concerts for free, with donations going to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Poltava Kobzar Guild. If you wish to support Jurij, you may do so via Paypal to jurij_fedynskyj@hotmail.com or checks payable to Jurij Fedynskyj sent to 30 Cranes Nest Drive, Franklinton, NC 27525.

This recording is of a live-stream of the event by Travis Cook for Vermont Stands with Ukraine. To learn about other events supporting Ukraine in Vermont, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/991440684883728

James Stewart looks through the history of classical music composers that are not often discussed.

For more information visit: eeevermont.org