In Kyiv, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska met with General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera, Peter Gelb, and conductor of the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, Keri-Lynn Wilson. The meeting was also attended by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Sergiy Kyslytsya.
“First of all, I would like to thank Ms. Wilson for the incredible ‘Concert of Hope’ that took place in Kyiv on Friday. It was dedicated to the return of Ukrainian children from Russian captivity – a profoundly important and painful issue for Ukraine,” the First Lady said.
Olena Zelenska noted the significant support Ukraine has received from the Metropolitan Opera, Peter Gelb, and his wife Keri-Lynn Wilson since the very beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, as well as the constantly growing number of joint projects. Achievements so far include internships for Ukrainian artists and the creation of a contemporary Ukrainian opera.
The First Lady also expressed particular gratitude for the Metropolitan Opera’s principled stance in refusing to cooperate with Russian performers who support the Putin regime.
“Ukraine’s position is that restrictions must apply to all Russian works whatsoever – there should be no platform for a culture that has been made the mouthpiece of murderers and invaders. Instead, the culture that is defending itself and the right of people to be free and alive on their own land – Ukrainian culture – must be heard as widely as possible,” said Olena Zelenska.
Additionally, the First Lady proposed that the Metropolitan Opera become an ambassador for Ukrainian music – both contemporary and classical.