Darius Magintas played compositions in the de-occupied Kharkiv Region from the cycle “Naive Music” by the Ukrainian composer Valentin Sylvestrov.
On December 13, 2022, Kremenetska Mountain in Izyum was covered with fog, but even it could not hide the damage caused by the Russian aggression and occupation to the monuments of sacred art – Polovtsian women and the whole city.
Mr. Majyntas wears dark formal clothes, a black bulletproof vest, with patches with blue-yellow and Canadian flags nearby, allows himself only mittens and performs modern Ukrainian classics for about an hour in the rain, humidity at a temperature of only +5. He chose, passed through himself and practiced these melodies for more than a month.
“With the beginning of the war, I became more interested in Ukrainian culture, that’s how I discovered Sylvestrov. In his music, all of Ukraine, its nature and people” – said maestro Magintas. He arrived in Izyum the day before and spent the night with the team in an ancient cellar, which served as a shelter for more than 60 residents of the city during the war and occupation.
The Looking at the Stars Foundation, a Canadian charitable organization based in Toronto, gives classical music performed by first-in-class artists to those who need it most but least expect it.
On April 26, the Looking at the Stars Foundation presented Ukraine first concert classical music – in memory of those who died in the destroyed city of Irpin – and on December 13, they again bowed to the fallen and inspired the living in the city of Izyum.
“On behalf of the board of directors, for the second time, the symbolic gift of classical music – love, respect and admiration – was presented to the steadfast and heroic Ukrainian people, who are tirelessly and selflessly fighting the evil Russian aggression. I am sure that classical music – our only weapon – can be as powerful as HIMARS. It will further revive the steadfast Ukrainians and destroy the psyche and morale of the aggressor. – says Dmytro Kanovich, founder and general director of the “Looking at the Stars” Foundation. – We owe Ukraine every day and minute of our peaceful existence, and with humility and pride we have the opportunity to say “thank you” from the bottom of our hearts. Glory to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people!”
“Music cannot level destruction, but it heals wounds. With this action, we draw attention to the cultural losses suffered by the world’s cultural heritage as a result of Russian aggression in Ukraine. We demonstrate how devastating the war is being waged against the Ukrainian people and our culture. In the global context, we use the world’s attention to get out of the shadow of Russian culture today.” – says Yaryna Yasynevych, co-organizer of the action, head of “Demforum”.
Darius Majintas is always impressed by the resilience of Ukrainians and their ability to preserve humanity and do good even in the darkest times. An example of such resilience is the Izyum volunteer movement.
Serhii Shtanko, who remained in his hometown throughout the occupation and helped organize the performance, notes with hope for recovery: “Daily assistance to citizens and drawing attention to the cultural heritage of Izyum is important.”
The speech was organized and financed by the efforts of the Canadian Foundation “Looking at the Stars”, with the assistance of the NGO “All-Ukrainian Democratic Forum” in Ukraine, the volunteer initiative “People-Army” and the Izyum community.
Photos by Yevhen Kotenko, Looking at the Stars Foundation
For reference
“Looking at the Stars” Foundation
Registered in 2016 as a federal charity and based in Toronto. The organization’s mission is to provide world-class classical music to organizations and institutions whose members cannot experience live classical music in a traditional setting, or to those who do not have access to traditional venues.
https://lookingatthestars.org/
NGO “All-Ukrainian Democratic Forum”
A public organization that contributes to the comprehensive development of Ukrainian culture, international cooperation in the field of culture and intercultural dialogue, the development of the media environment in Ukraine, the professional skills of journalists, the increase of quality content, the creation of conditions for the satisfaction and protection of legal, social, creative, national-cultural, economic, legal and other interests of its members and society. And during the war, he carries out volunteer and humanitarian initiatives.
Darius Magintas – Vice-president and artistic director of the Canadian Foundation “Looking at the Stars” in the European Union.
Due to his exceptional musical sensibility and talent, as well as charming forms of expression and unique interpretations, Darius Majintas has already won the recognition of the Republic of Lithuania. A graduate of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater, laureate of numerous national and international music competitions.
The list of music festivals in which the pianist participated included Aspen Music Festival, Westchester Piano Festival (USA), Summerakademie (Germany) and Holland Music Session (Netherlands).
In 2013-2014, he held the position of Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania. Mr. Majintas has given successful concerts in the great halls of the world, such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall in New York and London’s Wigmore Hall.
The pianist has recorded several albums, including a solo album in 2011 with works by Bach, Beethoven, and Scriabin.
In 2020, Mr. Majintas joined Looking at the Stars as Vice President and Artistic Director in the European Union and successfully played his first pilot concert in a Lithuanian prison
