Arms linked, weights distributed, bodies encircled in a ring and performers moved harmoniously to the rhythm of the spirited musical symphony in Arkan, a traditional Ukrainian folk dance featured in the fourth annual United for Ukraine event.
Students and community members filled Robison Concert Hall on Feb. 22 to witness a diverse and united student body that stood in solidarity with a gripping crisis. The event was organized by the Ukrainian Student Group in collaboration with the Mahaney Arts Center and Middlebury department of music.
The overall theme of the performances was inspired by the four seasons and featured various cultural dance and musical displays, poetry recitations and a skillful theatrical skit. The event embodied an energized and vibrant appreciation for a rich cultural heritage. The student performers came from a wide range of backgrounds, establishing the significance of finding unity within struggle and that human lives and cultural traditions must be protected.
The students primarily responsible for the preparation and organization of the show were Sofiia Tretiak ’27, Valeriia Dudiak ’27.5 and Anastasiia Demchenko ’28, who began planning the event in early October. One of Tretiak’s responsibilities included choreographing three intricate Ukrainian folk dances to teach to the student participants, an experience she enjoyed.
