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In Great Britain, the First Stage of the «Culture VS War» Project Featuring ANTYTILA Took Place

In London, Cardiff, and Birmingham, the first stage of a massive international project «Culture VS War» took place initiated by the Association “Watch Ukrainian!” in April 2022 to record and convey the truth about the war of Russia against Ukraine via stories of struggle of well-known artists. The project is realized supported by the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, and Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. A series of events in three cities of Great Britain featuring the ANTYTILA band was prepared together with the community of Ukrainians in Great Britain.

They showed a documentary «Culture VS War» starring ANTYTILA to the citizens of London, Cardiff, and Birmingham where the musicians of the band Serhii Vusyk, Taras Topolia, and Dmytro Zholud are telling their own stories of the first 8 months of full-scale war: of their work at the frontline, of why they went to war as volunteer soldiers, of why and when they were withdrawn from the frontline, and which objectives were set before them afterwards. After the screening, everyone who attended the event had a chance to listen to the band’s songs live performed in acoustic and have a talk to ANTYTILA during a few hours. In the course of such talks, the issues of uniting the communities locally around campaigns and demonstrations to support Ukraine were raised. ANTYTILA also called the British on keeping the war in Ukraine in focus of attention, and resisting Russian propaganda conducting explanations among the acquaintances, relatives, and friends. All for achieving the Victory and a just peace as a result.

As part of the project, charity auctions with unique lots were held as well where they managed to raise ₴2 million 500 thousand for the needs of the Defense Intelligence, namely for purchasing the boats for completing combat missions and evacuation.

The screening of a documentary «Culture VS War» in the building of the Liverpool city council initiated by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool Councilor Richard Kemp is worth being mentioned specifically. After the screening, the organizers of the event invited Taras Topolia to make a speech and answer the questions of the audience live. Among those who came to the screening, there were a representative of the king, the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside Mark Blundell with his wife Mrs. Suzanne Blundell, an ex-leader of Liverpool City Council Cllr Liam Robinson, the head of Liverpool Branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain Taras Khomych, deputies of the city and Merseyside county, representatives of political establishment and public organizations of Great Britain supporting Ukraine.

During a 10-day-long stay in Great Britain, the ANTYTILA band led intensive information activities communicating with representatives of public organizations, political and business circles, and British media. ANTYTILA gave a range of important interviews including the ones for BBC London, BBC Wales, ITV, Radio WM, and BBC Birmingham where they focused attention on military crimes committed by Russia violating all international conventions, mentioned prisoners-of-war and numerous evidences of using inhuman tortures to them, and called the British on keeping supporting Ukraine at all levels.

‘When we were withdrawn from the frontline, we were set a few objectives. Apart from accumulating resources on the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine using our creative work and recognition, there was one more important task – communication with world media, informing foreigners on Ukrainians’ struggle against occupiers, on Muscovites’ crimes, and on the fact that the war requires resources and weapons. So everywhere it’s possible to do that, we speak of it, draw attention to it, and raise the topic of Ukraine using various formats. Drop by drop, it gives its results. And considering the number of foreigners attending our events and how much funds we manage to raise, it inspires us to work even more intensively’, says the frontman of the ANTYTILA band Taras Topolia.

The next stage of the «Culture VS War» project featuring the Ukrainian band ANTYTILA is to take place in the United States of America as well as in many other countries of the world soon.

ANTYTILA «Culture vs War»

Charity event with the ANTYTILA band in London, Cardiff, Birmingham.

As part of the “Culture vs War” project, the ANTYTILA band, together with the Ukrainian community in Great Britain, on the initiative of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, the Association “Watch Ukrainian”, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will hold the first series of events in three cities in the UK.

During the events, we will show the movie “Culture vs War” followed by an open conversation with the ANTYTILA band in a Q&A format. They will cover topics like the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people against Russian occupiers, charitable projects, musical activities, and military service of the ANTYTILA band, as well as other topics interesting for the guests.

On the agenda additionally:

• an auction with unique lots;
• an acoustic performance by the ANTYTILA band with songs having become part of the Ukrainians’ lives all around the world.

Everyone attending the charity event will have an opportunity to ask questions personally addressed to the band members, purchase lots at the auction, including flags signed by Valerii Zaluzhnyi and Kyrylo Budanov as well as trophies and personal items of the musicians having gone through combat actions in Kyiv and Kharkiv regions, where Taras Topolia, Serhii Vusyk, and Dmytro Zholud took part as volunteer soldiers of the 130th Battalion of Territorial Defense; you’ll also be able to sing along famous songs like TDME, Seize the Moment, You to Believe, Fortress Bakhmut, and others.

Meeting schedule:

• May 25 – England, London – Logan Hall, starting at 7:00PM – https://bit.ly/3UCsEK3
• 2 June –  Wales, Cardiff – Tramshed.  starting at 7:00 PM – https://bit.ly/4biYOzX
• June 5 – England, Birmingham – Forum Birmingham, starting at 7:00 PM – https://bit.ly/4bhHknh

The meeting will last up to 4 hours.

All funds from donations and lots will be transferred for purchasing boats for medical evacuation.

About the Project

The project “Culture vs War” was initiated by the Association “Watch Ukrainian!” in April 2022 to record and convey the truth about the war of Russia against Ukraine via stories of struggle of well-known artists. In the war against Russia, Ukraine and Ukrainians keep transforming into the nation of victors and into the State of Heroes through tireless resistance and incredible national heroism. Overcoming war challenges with dignity Ukrainians are moving to a new level of self-awareness, self-identification, sovereignty, and international subjectivity. The characters of the projects are well-known artists having joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and cultural figures leading active volunteer activities. The result of the project is creating a set of media products in cooperation with Ukrainian cultural figures letting the world and Ukrainian communities know about values and meanings of Ukrainian culture helping Ukrainians show powerful resistance to the aggressor, which were based on their personal exact examples and stories.

Address of Taras Topolia:

“When ANTYTILA were withdrawn from the frontline, we were set a clear objective – to convey the truth about the war to the world community with all possible means, to accumulate resources for covering the needs of all Defense Forces, and also to draw attention to the struggle of Ukrainian people against occupants via music and interviews. That’s what we’ve been doing for more than a year. Since the moment we stopped being directly involved in battle actions, due to support of thousands of Ukrainians and foreigners all over the world, we have fundraised over $2,000,000 for various needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Defense Intelligence, National Guard, and the “Alpha” special unit of the Security Service of Ukraine. We have just completed a large-scale project to provide 10,000 high-quality medikits for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the course of which we fundraised $650,000.

So we’re eager to see everyone at our charitable cultural event, which will bring not only the pleasure of communication and music but also a particular benefit as support for the Defense Forces of Ukraine.”

 

The ANTYTILA Band Have Handed Over Five Thousand Tactical Medikits for Special Units of the Security Service of Ukraine

ANTYTILA have handed over five thousand tactical medikits made up according to NATO standard to the soldiers of the Security Service of Ukraine of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The funds on them were raised in the course of round-the-world tour of the ANTYTILA band including a range of European countries, Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand. Those were tens of gigs during which the funds for purchasing the necessary materials were accumulated.

The medikits having been purchased weren’t simple ready-to-use ones, but the best means for saving lives of our defenders. Together with the Foundation United Help Ukraine, every set was made up by hand. The medikit set was made up based on frontline experience of Ukrainian paramedics.

 The Security Service of Ukraine express their deepest gratitude to the members of ANTYTILA band and all Ukrainians assisting the Ukrainian Forces of Security and Defense.

 Gonna prevail together!

Premiere! «Ти саме та» (‘Ty Same Ta’) Official Video

Metaphoric and vivid visuals on how a small human can start fire with their love and give warmth to billions of others within the infinity of cold space and the Universe.

This song is devotion to not only the beloved ones, but also to the Motherland common for everyone: exactly the one we are to hold the skies for and sing circle-wise that we love.

As usual, ANTYTILA do not betray their traditions: the video of the band is full of references and hidden senses. Every video is a small movie related to the lives of the band and the country via which ANTYTILA convey important things, give warnings, experience, love, and talk to their listener.

ANTYTILA in Denmark at the ENGAGE Festival

Dear Ukrainians in Denmark,

We are standing with you in your struggle for liberty and independence of your Motherland. We can only imagine which challenges you’re experiencing every day in this tough time for Ukraine.

We have an honor to inform you that we’ve invited the Ukrainian music band ANTYTILA to perform in Denmark as part of the “Engage” Festival June 7-8, 2024 in Copenhagen.

We’re looking forward to seeing you!

Antytila – Kyiv, Palace of Sports

After almost three months of touring abroad, Antytila will return to Ukraine and play a big solo show for their fans at the Palace of Sports in Kyiv. This show  will put an end to Antytila’’s world charity tour.

February 14th. Kyiv, Palace of Sports.

Antytila band returns to the hometown scene. 5 years ago, musicians gathered at the Palace of Sports twice. This will be the third time it will happen.

The MLNL album will be performed live for the first time in Kyiv. It is the same album that Antytila presented on the second day of the full-scale war directly from the underground parking lot, where the 130th battalion of TRO, in which the musicians serve, was based.

“2Step, Bakhmut Fortress, TDME, Viryla – these songs helped millions of people go through the most difficult periods of life. The war changed all of us, it devalued the artificial, and made the real important. Real emotions, love, hugs, and a real desire to fight on. We are sure that with Antytila these songs about the real thing will be sung by the completely filled Palace of Sports”, – says Taras Topolya, the leader of the Antytila band.

Each concert of the Antytila band is a unique musical show, filled with meaning and technical and sound solutions that are almost unmatched in Ukraine. During 15 years of creative activity, not a single concert was repeated. Musicians surprise the capital every time, and this time is no exception. Artists are preparing a special program for their supporters.

Antytila are currently on a world charity tour. The musicians played more than 30 concerts on three continents and raised almost $400,000. Band is moving toward a goal of half a million dollars to purchase 10,000 quality medical kits for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

After being transferred from the frontline, the musicians of the band Antytila direct all their efforts to the volunteer projects of their own Charity Fund, which also takes care of the children of the families of the fallen soldiers of their 130th battalion and the military direction.

Half a Million Dollars for the Armed Forces of Ukraine!

ANTYTILA are moving on to their aim and already report on record amount of $300.000 having been raised in the USA and Canada.

The world tour of the ANTYTILA band aimed to raise half a million dollars (or 20 million hryvnias to buy 10 000 of military medikits IFAK. Today, we can already state that in the USA and Canada only, the musicians together with their partners – United Help Ukraine Foundation have managed to raise a lot more than a half from the aimed amount and set an absolute record of charitable fundraisers in the USA and Canada among Ukrainian performers.

Photos: https://fex.net/uk/s/fkkxaar 

Now, ANTYTILA continue their tour around Europe moving to Australia and New Zealand afterwards. This world charity tour is the first massive tour of the band after having been extricated the musicians Taras Topolia, Serhii Vusyk, and Dmytro Zholud from the frontline with the order of Valerii Zaluzhnyi. The guys were on service as part of the 130th battalion of territorial defense from the beginning of full-scale invasion defending Kyiv, and then Kharkiv from Russian occupants.

It’s not only a great interest to the band in the USA, Canada, and Europe providing success to the tour but also the fact that ANTYTILA are bringing a stadium show with quality sound and light heartily adapted to each concert venue. The musicians perform their well-known hits including «Фортеця Бахмут» (‘Fortress Bakhmut’), «Лови Момент» (‘Seize the Moment’), «TDME» and their new album «MLNL» live.

Apart from that, before the beginning of the gig, within unique auctions, the band makes it possible for everyone eager to do that to join charity and buy exclusive lots having been brought by the musicians to the territories of the USA, Canada, and Europe for the first time.

Documental and licensing preparation for transporting such lots lasted over 6 months; the band’s drummer Dmytro Vodovozov led it personally.

Eventually, in the USA only, 14 unique collection items, and virtually – a full collection of transport containers and tubes from various systems: PanzerFaust 3,  BullSpike AT/AP, M72-LAW, Carl Gustaf, and RPG-26 as well as boxes for transporting and saving fillings for a self-propelled howitzer “CAESER” autographed by Ukrainian soldiers have been raffled.

The fillings of all containers were successfully used by Ukrainian militaries for destroying enemy tanks, IFVs, MT-LBs, mortars, and occupant’s infantry. Among important lots, there were also collection banknotes, postage stamps, and flags having been personally signed by the Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, flags having been signed by the soldiers of the brigade of the Offensive Guard “Burevii” and 130th battalion of territorial defense, and vyshyvankas from Taras Topolia’s personal collection. We’d like to make a special mention of hand-made minibars. These are unique installations developed by the ANTYTILA Charity Foundation and made by artists from 105-mm artillery cartridge cases having been used.

The tour cities having raised record amounts of donations:

Chicago – $49,338.81

San Francisco – $43,107.92

New York – $33,879.17

Seattle – $19,784.43

Video from Chicago: 

The artists express special thanks to the team #StandWithUkraineMN at Ukrainian American Community Center in Minneapolis and the fund conducting prosthetics and rehabilitation of Ukrainian Heroes Protez Foundation for the donation worth $22 000.

One of the most reputable charity foundations in the USA, the «United Help Ukraine» Foundation, has become a reliable partner of the ANTYTILA band and ANTYTILA Charity Foundation in the course of American tour. Thanks to UHU, at every gig, there were all possible opportunities provided for the visitors to join charity in any convenient way. The ANTYTILA Charity Foundation together with the «United Help Ukraine» Foundation has already started purchasing components for the first lot of IFAK military medikits. The members of the ANTYTILA band personally control the content of a medikits and quality of components.

 “We’re grateful to all Ukrainians and Americans coming to our gigs, taking part in auctions, and donating. Sometimes we had a feeling that the hall was half filled by foreigners having come to support us not even understanding Ukrainian. For instance, at our gig in San Francisco, the owner of the hall we were performing in donated 16 690 American dollars for Ukrainian Heroes having heard our story and aim. When in Chicago, our Ukrainian entrepreneurs put a record bet of $20 000 for the trooper’s beret which was then given back to him. These stories are striking. Thank you all for the trust.

We’re grateful to the organizer of our tour Yevhen Antypenko for professionalism and job having been done. We’ll come back to the USA and Canada with new gigs in spring.

And now, we continue raising $500 000 in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Great Britain. We will definitely raise this sum and take care of the fact our militaries had quality medikits saving their lives.

At our gigs, fellows come to fellows to listen to their favorite Ukrainian music and to truly support our defenders”, shares his impressions the leader of the ANTYTILA band Taras Topolia.

Further gigs of the ANTYTILA band will take place in Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Great Britain.

Dates, cities, and tickets:

3/11 – Lisbon
5/11 – Barcelona
6/11 – Alicante
9/11 – Sidney
12/11 – Melbourne
16/11 – New Zealand, Oakland
25/11 – Dublin
26/11 – Manchester
27/11 – London
29/11 – Edinburgh
02/12 – Chisinau

https://antytila.com/en/events/

Happy Independence Day of Ukraine!

We’re gonna wake up once some day at 6 o’clock in gray of dawn,
One’s gonna put on their new equip having been bought the day before
For battle pay; and there, before night, they hung the honors in a line,
Being well-deserved – for Sevastopol, Kherson, Bakhmut, for Rovenky.

One’ll give a three-day’s break for office,
Shift vital deadlines and Zoom call,
One will have just personal day off
Silently turning off the phone.

One’s gonna have a night-long journey
To forefront, just to be on time.
And one – how come this be trustworthy –
Will cover Bielgorod with shots.

One will have whiskey and start crying
When violating service rules,
One’s gonna wipe the snot from baby
And put a vyshyvanka on for the first time.

And all of us, with thanks to goodness,
Millions of falcons, tomtits, little sparrow chicks,
To celebrate the sacred triumph
At the parade, we’ll fly just there.

There will be glory, there’ll be honor,
There will be pride, strength, and respect.
There will be wounds, there will be conscience,
There will be shield, there will be sword.

There will be eyes in blue and yellow,
There will be joy, there will be rage.
There will be marching till the day end
Of sons and daughters straight in range,

Of those who struggled as it could be
Finally having won the fight.
Of those not having got down kneeling
At the feet of the lackeys’ horde.

We’re gonna take a knee, exactly,
Only before the ones who came on shield,
Who left as Heroes for kingdom of heaven,
And watch us from there as we’re here.

We’ll bow our heads right down with honor
And our flag above us straight
To those who gave the visa for us
To future having paid the cheque.

At the expense of their well-being,
At the expense of lives that is
The most precious in the realm.
There is a debt, all of us owe to it.

I know, that will exactly happen
All that I’ve mentioned lines above.
We’re gonna have it all together,
The Victory, for which the time has come.

‘Cause Independence means above all People
The Nation like an alloy, unified.
You know, parade’s small plot of land is here
Waiting for you reserved for length of time.

Translation: Lara Rusnak

Happy Independence Day of Ukraine!

ANTYTILA Band Is 15 Years Old Today!

We have always played and sung about what pleased and affected us personally.
During this time, we created many different songs. Dozens of videos were shot to convey the content and mood of each song.
We changed our style, experimented with music, we assembled pubs and stadiums, and in between we were engaged in volunteer and military affairs.
We always try to be honest with ourselves and our fans.
We are responsible for our words and actions to the people who once let our creativity into their lives.
And we try to be sincere in everything we do.
Today, on the 15th anniversary of our creative life, we announce a world tour, which will take place already this fall.
The best gift for us will be full halls at concerts. Therefore, we invite everyone!
And another important news for our supporters in Ukraine!
We will play the final of this part of the tour in Kyiv on February 14, 2024, in the Palace of Sports.

“This tour, these gigs, in fact, might not happen. When we came to our 130th Battalion on the first day of the war, we did not think at all that after a year and a half we would be able to take the stage again. We had just left the instruments at home and picked up the guns, that’s it. In Kharkiv oblast, we faced the death several times, and you know what, after that you especially appreciate life. Especially. Therefore, if you are reading this text, alive, then there is a reason to thank fate for this! And get together to sing songs that have meaning, nerve and unique Ukrainian history. Also, remember that when you come to our gigs, you are not only listening to your favorite songs, but also supporting the Ukrainian army and bringing Ukrainian soldiers closer to victory,” says Taras Topolia, the leader of the ANTYTILA band.

Dates and cities!

• 28.09 – Philadelphia 
• 30.09 – New York
• 01.10 – Boston 
• 05.10 – Montreal 
• 06.10 – Toronto 
• 07.10 – Detroit 
• 08.10 – Chicago 
• 12.10 – Seatlle
• 13.10 – Sacramento
• 14.10 – San Francisco
• 15.10 – Los Angeles
• 18.10 – Miami
• 21.10 – Budapest
• 22.10 – Bratislava
• 24.10 – Prague
• 25.10. – Bern
• 26.10. – Cologne
• 29.10. – Vienna
• 30.10. – Munich
• 2.11. – Milan
• 5.11. – Barcelona
• 6.11 – Alicante
• 9.11 – Sydney
• 12.11 – Melbourne
• 16.11. – New Zealand, Auckland
• 25.11 – Dublin
• 26.11 – Manchester
• 27.11 – London
• 29.11 – Edinburgh

The last part of the previous tour collected more than 2 million hryvnias, which were sent for the purchase of anti-drone riffles, turnstiles and other useful items for the units of the Armed Forces.

The final part of the gigs will be symbolically held in Kyiv on February 14, 2024.
And see you in Yalta! On August 23!

Concert cities and dates will be added.

Currently, the musicians direct all their efforts to the volunteer projects of their own Charitable Foundation, which also takes care of the children of the families of the deceased soldiers of their 130th battalion.

The official website of the Antytila Charitable Foundation

https://www.antytila.ua/

ANTYTILA Present Their Latest Song: the Soundtrack of the ‘Death from Above’ Game

The Ukrainian band ANTYTILA presents a new song in two languages and a video for it having been created especially for the computer game of the European production Rockodile and Lesser Evil – “Death from Above”. In Ukrainian, the song is called “Мій сокіл” (‘Mii Sokil’ / ‘My Falcon’).

The game is to be available in early access on the Steam platform from today. Both Ukrainian and English edits of songs will be played in the game. Moreover, the members of the ANTYTILA band will appear among the characters of the game. Everyone will be able to choose a character, a pilot who will control the drone. Among them there will be five musicians of the ANTYTILA band.

Check the game: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2300160/Death_From_Above/

The music style of the song “Death from Above”, in Ukrainian – “My Falcon” is different from the previous tracks of the ANTYTILA band and is one of the heaviest in their repertoire. It conveys the tense atmosphere of the game, and transfers listeners to the world of combat operations and danger.

‘When an IT company from Germany asked us to create a song for a game – we were interested, because we like computer games.

When we were told that players would transform into Ukrainian pilots – drone operators and destroy the enemy from above, when we found out that 70% of the income would go to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, we had no doubts about whether to participate in this project.

“Death from above” (“My Falcon” in Ukrainian) is probably the heaviest song in our discography from now on. But it is very much relevant to the mood of the gameplay.

We are sure that a perfect mix of interesting gameplay, a powerful soundtrack and a good deed in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the Victory are what all the players should expect’, tells the leader of the ANTYTILA band Taras Topolia.

In the videos for both edits of the songs, the musicians show warfare as well as situations that our military actually face on the frontlines for real but in an animated form. The enemies are depicted as orcs, pigs and in fact non-human creatures who they are actually, and who gave the name to a new phenomenon in the world history – Ruscism. This symbolism emphasizes the deep meaning of the video where the Ukrainian pilot and drone operator destroys the enemy representing a threat to freedom and independence.

“In the video, we wanted to convey the atmosphere of the game, this dynamics, this temper as well as to recreate the characters, show and emphasize to everyone once again who or what the army of the aggressor country really is. These are creatures that have a minimum of human traits and qualities,” Taras Topolia says.

The game consists in the following: a player can handle either a Ukrainian maneuvering this character in rear of the enemy’s positions or specifically a UAV conducting attacks against the enemy’s positions and destroying troops, tanks and other forces of the enemy. This kind of balancing between positioning and battle creates a tense gameplay as the operator keeps advancing deeper to the occupied territory reconquering the land, signal operation centers as well as all the belongings having been stolen from the territrory of Ukraine once.

Now ‘Death from Above’ is released in Steam Early Access, 30% of its net revenues from game sales will be sent to two Ukrainian charity foundations: Come Back Alive and Army of Drones. Once we break even, that donation will increase to 70% of all future net game revenues, with the final 30% going towards developing new game content.

Recently, the Antytila Concert LLC sent ₴1 100 000 having been earned at the band’s charity gigs in Europe, to their own charity foundation for purchasing anti-drone riffles. Thus, the band has closed a fundraiser for ₴6 million, and soon anti-drone complexes with direction finders will go to the frontline. In September, Antytila will continue their cultural activity and go on tour around the USA and Canada. The artists will perform for the first time in Australia and New Zealand as well.