(opinion article)

On September 30, 2025, in the German city of Bielefeld, a concert was held by the well-knowned Ukrainian singer – and now devoted volunteer – Antonina Matviienko.

Thanks to the efforts of the German-Ukrainian Association DUBG, the Ukrainian community of this hospitable city had the priceless pleasure of plunging their souls into the multicolored and magic art of a true jewel of Ukrainian culture – Tonya Matviienko. Her voice lifted the audience on the wings of love across the boundless landscapes of Ukraine that continue to live and blossom despite the horrors of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

As a true master of the Ukrainian stage, the splendid singer spoke to her listeners not only through folk songs, but also through vivid visions she painted with ease before their touched hearts.

At first, there was a light-winged stork, flying from Ukraine to Vyriy, a paradise place in warmer lands, from Ukrainian folk songs, pausing to see its scattered flock in a foreign country.

Soon, came a sad girl, hopelessly in love with a poor fiddler…

Then, appeared a playful breeze spinning itself into a dancing whirlwind – twirling, swirling, swaying – until it swept part of the audience into its cheerful country dance.

After that flew wild geese, bringing “feathers to the courtyard… on a rainy Sunday.”  Curiously, just as this song was sung, a soft and sorrowful drizzle began to fall down on the scene.

Next, images of a blossoming dandelion shone forth, being later overshadowed by ominous echoes of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Antonina Matviienko’s concert touched every heart in the hall. Some wiped away silent tears, while others lingered long in their seats, holding fast to the unexpected impressions, the memories, the living fragment of Ukraine that the young Beregynia (female folk guardian) of Ukrainian songs had suddenly painted before their eyes.

The concert was a smashing success. Volunteers gathered the needed funds for a military vehicle. The audience received the unexpected and unsurpassed delight of songs in which Ukraine resounded. Antonina Matviienko, in turn, received her own impressions of Bielefeld – let us hope they were joyful.

It remains only to thank the German-Ukrainian Association DUBG, and personally Tetyana Shu, for organizing this unforgettable celebration of music.