Cultural Days of Odesa Festival in Mainz
Today, the major festival – Cultural Days of Odesa – kicks off in Mainz, Germany.
The week's program is set to be diverse and vibrant.
The festival will commence with an exhibition of paintings by Odesa artists Yurii and Viktor Osotenko titled «Temples. The Spirituality of Odesa» at St. Stephen's Church.
In preparation for the Cultural Days of Odesa, the Ukrainian community in Mainz has organized a literary meeting with writer and poet Mariyana Haponenko, who studied German philology in Odesa and began publishing in German at an early age.
Additionally, at the Peter Cornelius Conservatory, there will be a concert by the bandurist trio «Malvy» along with a Mainz-based early music ensemble.
The Odesa trio «Malvy» is among the most renowned in Ukraine, featuring exceptionally talented students from the Stolyarsky Music School.
Moreover, an evening of Ukrainian jazz will be hosted at the Altmünster Church, where singer Nadine Russu and pianist Marina Perepelitsa will perform jazz pieces including Summertime, Fly Me to the Moon, Killing Me Softly, as well as improvisations on Ukrainian songs.
At the Ollohof club, DJ Maryna Moxx will present a Ukrainian rave for techno enthusiasts.
The Star Ballet School has arranged a special event for children aged 5 to 12, teaching them to dance and sing Ukrainian songs. During this time, adult attendees can enjoy a picnic in the Odesa style. The school's courtyard will be transformed into a typical Moldavanka yard, with singer and passionate cook Kira Kaft serving signature Odesa dishes.
The achievements of Odesa filmmakers will be honored with a screening of the historical film «Fortress of Khadjibey» about Cossack heroism and love.
On the City Day of Odesa, the festival's final day, there will be a prayer for Ukraine and a grand concert at St. Stephen's Cathedral.
The program includes a solo from Mykhailo Skoryk's ballet «Forest Song», works by Paganini, Puccini, Bartók, and Piazzolla, as well as music by Ukrainian composers, including Semen Hulak-Artemovsky and Myroslav Skoryk.
Following this, music will be performed by renowned Odesa artists: Nadiya Sheremeteva (soprano, performed at La Scala (Milan)); Ninel Menshikova (pianist, educator); Mykhailo Makarov (violinist, from classical to jazz); Oleksandra Chekalенко (violinist, a laureate of numerous competitions).
