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war: of their work at the frontline, of why they went to war as volunteer soldiers, of why and when they were withdrawn from the frontline, and which objectives were set before them afterwards.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.
