‘Writers For Ukraine’ event raises £16,000

By Love Belfast

March 11, 2022

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A fundraising event expressing solidarity with Ukrainian writers and a celebration of their work, has raised £16,000 for the Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

The sell-out event at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre saw some of Northern Ireland’s most celebrated writers read from the works of their Ukrainian peers. In a first for the Lyric, the event was also live-streamed to an international audience.

Award-winning author Jan Carson, who organised and hosted the evening, introduced writers Anna Burns, Dara McAnulty, Glenn Paterson, Leontia Flynn and Stephen Sexton, who read a selection of poetry and prose by Oksana Zabuzhko (novelist and short story writer), Myroslav Laiuk (poet), Olena Stiazhkina (novelist), Oksana Lutsushna (poet), Haska Shyyan (novelist) and Ilya Kaminsky (poet). Excerpts from plays by Natalya Vorozhbit (playwright and filmmaker) were performed by the Kabosh Theatre Company.

The £16,000 was raised through ticket sales, a collection on the night, and online donations through the Lyric website which will be live until 13 March. The venue, staff, performers, promotional materials, photography and streaming facility were all donated through people’s time and generosity.

Standing in solidarity with peers in Ukraine, local Northern Irish writers reading excerpts from contemporary Ukrainian works at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast fundraising event on 6-3-2022. Picture by Bernie Brown

Stephen Sexton reads Ilya Kaminsky (poet). Standing in solidarity with peers in Ukraine, local Northern Irish writers reading excerpts from contemporary Ukrainian works at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast fundraising event on 6-3-2022. Picture by Bernie Brown

Glenn Patterson reads Oksana Zabuzhko (novelist and short story writer. Standing in solidarity with peers in Ukraine, local Northern Irish writers reading excerpts from contemporary Ukrainian works at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast fundraising event on 6-3-2022. Picture by Bernie Brown

Anna Burns reads Olena Stiazhkina (novelist). Standing in solidarity with peers in Ukraine, local Northern Irish writers reading excerpts from contemporary Ukrainian works at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast fundraising event on 6-3-2022. Picture by Bernie Brown

Dara McAnulty reads Myroslav Laiuk (poet). Standing in solidarity with peers in Ukraine, local Northern Irish writers reading excerpts from contemporary Ukrainian works at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast fundraising event on 6-3-2022. Picture by Bernie Brown

Jimmy Fay, Executive Producer of the Lyric said:
“As Jan said this was a small thing but it was a small good thing. We may feel powerless in the face of brutal tyranny but what was empowering last Sunday was the collective need for us to connect to the Ukrainian people at this dreadful time. The fact that the connection was made through the art of poetry, drama and prose of Ukrainian writers cannot be underestimated. It’s stirred the imagination and our hearts and helped the candle glow bright against the desolate landscape of fear and hate. Our audience, the Lyric audience, have done a great thing in supporting financially the Red Cross but also in allowing the beauty of Ukrainian art take root in their hearts. We stand with the Ukraine people and will do what we can to help in any way we can”.

Jan Carson, host and organiser of ‘Writers for Ukraine’ said:

“I was completely overwhelmed by the way the entire arts sector rallied so quickly, creatively and generously to support this event. Having spoken to friends and colleagues in Ukraine since, they’ve all expressed their gratitude. Several said it was a huge encouragement to know other artists were standing in solidarity with them on the other side of the continent.”