On April 26, 2022, against the background of the destroyed historical building of culture in the city of heroes, Irpeni, an hour-long performance by the outstanding pianist Darius Mazhintas was held in support of Ukraine and in honor of the destroyed city of heroes, who loyally and at the cost of their lives held back the Russian advance on the capital.
The performer arrived in Ukraine, spent the night in Irpen, and in the morning played Chopin’s insightful nocturnes in the open air in the war-torn city, as a manifestation of love for Ukraine, deep respect for defenders and civilians of the city and the country.
The black grand piano for the performance was brought from Kyiv and placed on the surviving piece of the square in front of the Central House of Culture in Irpen. The building is a monument of culture, in its destroyed premises you can now see the metal frames of two burnt pianos.
The mayor of Irpen, Oleksandr Markushyn, thanked Mr. Mazhintas and emphasized that the chosen location is not only symbolic as a center of culture, but also as a building on the line of defense of Irpen, which the enemy could not break through thanks to the defenders.
Darius Majintas – Vice-president and artistic director of the Canadian Foundation “Looking at the Stars” in the European Union, a graduate of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater, laureate of numerous national and international awards. Due to his exceptional musical sensibility and talent, as well as forms of expression and unique interpretations, the performer is recognized in the Republic of Lithuania and in the world.
“Music played in halls for pleasure is not all you can do with it. Music is an energy that helps people… So I don’t want to play in halls now. I want to play in places where it’s not expected… Like today. – said Mr. Majintas. – That is why we are here symbolically. Our heart is with Ukraine… I love Ukraine. She fights not only for her country. She fights for the whole world.”
The speech was organized 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 mayor of Irpinsky.
“The name of the foundation “Looking at the Stars” is about that situation when there is no way to see anything, but you still raise your eyes and look at the stars” – the executive director of the Looking at the Stars Foundation, Margarita Shteinberg, explained the main idea to those present.
Volunteers of the “People-Army” initiative helped organize accommodation and overnight stays in Irpen for foreign guests. The city still lacks electricity, gas and, in some places, water. People draw water from wells and cook over fires. The house where the musician and the team spent the night was also significantly damaged by rocket attacks.
“It is important to draw the attention of the world community right here, in places like Irpin, to the crimes committed by Russia against Ukraine, inviting you to see for yourself the scale of the destruction. After all, it is important to create beauty, to demonstrate humanity in places full of pain.” – says Yaryna Yasinevych, head of the board of the NGO “All-Ukrainian Democratic Forum”, an organization that acted as a partner of the project in Ukraine.
Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn invited Darius Majintas to play in the restored concert hall of Irpen after the victory.
The action was held to spread information in the world with the aim of drawing attention to the feat and tragedy of Irpen, Kyiv region and Ukraine. Mr. Majyntas will also play for the wounded defenders and staff of the Kyiv Military Hospital.
Photos provided by the “Looking at the stars” Foundation, photographers Yevhen Kotenko, Volodymyr Panasyuk.
For reference
“Looking at the Stars” Foundation
Registered 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.
