Author:
Anastasia Poleshko
Ukrainian poet and soldier Artur Dron hosted a literary evening at the Voskresinnia Lviv Academic Theater to combine creativity and charity.
Artur announced a fundraiser to support the Voices of Children Foundation, which is aimed at helping children affected by the war.
During the event, Artur read his poems from the collection We Were Here and announced that he is finalizing work on a new book of short prose.
During the event, Artur read his poems from the collection We Were Here and announced that he is finalizing work on a new book of short prose.
Guests could donate to receive an entry ticket and participate in a raffle or charity auction.
Among the lots presented at the charity auction were merchandise branded by the Foundation, the well-known book of quotes, War Through the Voices of Children, and a picture by 18-year-old Katia (name changed for security reasons), a girl from eastern part of Ukraine supported by our Foundation.
Among the lots presented at the charity auction were merchandise branded by the Foundation, the well-known book of quotes, War Through the Voices of Children, and a picture by 18-year-old Katia (name changed for security reasons), a girl from eastern part of Ukraine supported by our Foundation.
Katіa has a problematic story. After Russia's invasion began in 2022, her family, influenced by propaganda, moved to Russia. She was against it, but she had no choice at that time. She had to study in a Russian school for two years, being alone with her pro-Ukrainian views. Eventually, she found the strength to leave, and at the age of 18, she left Russia and returned to Ukraine. Now, she lives in Kyiv, studies at university, and has a boyfriend. She also visits our center in Kyiv, where she receives the necessary psychological support and assistance.
This charity evening in support of the Voices of Children Foundation had two main highlights. First — we read not only poems from the collection We Were Here but also prose pieces from an upcoming book that will be published this summer by The Old Lion Publishing House. Second — we achieved a long-cherished goal: one million hryvnias to help children affected by the war. During and before the readings and charity auction, we raised 182,250 UAH (over 4,000 USD). So now, the total amount raised through "literaturing" of the book We Were Here and the activities surrounding it has reached 1,045,550 UAH (over 25,000 USD). I am grateful to everyone who bought the book and participated in our fundraising efforts, readings, raffles, and auctions. And I want to thank Voices of Children for their tremendous work for our children,
Artur Dron decided to "literature" — that is, to donate the profit from book sales to a good cause — while compiling the poetry collection We Were Here. Given the book's content and his own vision, he wanted to choose an organization that helps children and ultimately chose the Voices of Children Foundation. That's how we found a new friend. Artur, both a poet and a serviceman, finds inspiration in children's drawings and letters, which he considers the highest form of poetry because of their unique sincerity.
The first presentation of the book for charity We Were Here took place symbolically in December 2023 at the Voskresinnia Academic Theater, where the recent literary reading was held. The Old Lion Publishing House directs all proceeds from each copy sold—a book that contains 50 poems—to support our Foundation and its activities. You can order the book here.
Photo by: Yaroslav Tabinskiy.
The first presentation of the book for charity We Were Here took place symbolically in December 2023 at the Voskresinnia Academic Theater, where the recent literary reading was held. The Old Lion Publishing House directs all proceeds from each copy sold—a book that contains 50 poems—to support our Foundation and its activities. You can order the book here.
Photo by: Yaroslav Tabinskiy.
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