All That's Left of Me

What's left when war takes everything?

“Hold fast to dreams,
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird,
That cannot fly.” ― Langston Hughes

Kateryna Voroniuk and I spoke shortly after the invasion of Ukraine began. In that interview, she shared “Ukrainian Folksong,” a painful and dissonant piece set against the background of falling bombs. We also featured Kateryna and her work at one of our “Songs for Ukraine” concerts where musicians from around the world sang in support of Ukraine:

Much has happened since that first concert, and Kateryna has been busy not only writing music but helping other Ukrainians as well. She and her husband are actively involved in volunteering and buying military vehicles for the front. In her own words, “We are holding on! The war will be long, so we hold on.”

When I spoke with her two days ago, this is the update Kateryna gave me along with a brief explanation of how her latest song, “All That's Left of Me,” was born.

“The war goes on for a very long time. There is horror all around.

“Killings of our military, torture, killings of civilians ... and all this is 100 km from us.

“The psyche cannot withstand this stress.

“I wanted to write music about the war again, but I couldn't. And this, in a sense, is an analogy of how much the world has forgotten. People get used to the war and to the fact that people are dying.

“It is impossible to think without interruption.

“Therefore, this track is hope. I wrote it in one breath. It is a kind of relaxation - something we all lack but long for so much - tranquility and peaceful life.” - Kateryna

Connect with Kateryna

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvtjd857YK46GQm_jq6WZAw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voroniukkateryna
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katheryna_v/

Join the “Songs for Ukraine” community on Facebook where we share news, updates on our members’ lives, inspiring projects, and music designed to keep hope alive: https://www.facebook.com/groups/658917051877064

Learn what you can do to help the Ukrainian people by clicking HERE.

P.S. A Quick Note
The “Songs for Ukraine” concerts will be starting again soon in virtual reality. They will be held in a completely redesigned virtual space and live-streamed to other platforms as well.

We are asking for support to keep the space open and pay the musicians. If you can help, please go here: https://gofund.me/26920e97

I will post more soon along with an update on our children’s program, “Song Flight.”

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Love and Hugs,
Jena