International Projects

01.02.2023

BISU Students Keep Spreading Word About Ukraine

Our students sent their regards to their peers in Newcastle while sharing their experiences of staying and studying in the war-stricken country.

Recently, The British International School, Ukraine (BISU) participated in a very important event, Brundibár Arts Festival, that took place from 22 to 29 January, in Newcastle and Gateshead, the UK.

It was initiated in January 2016 as the UK’s first annual Festival dedicated to the Music and Arts of the Holocaust. The Festival is named after Hans Krása’s children’s opera “Brundibár” (meaning a ‘bumblebee’), which was first performed publicly by the children of Theresienstadt concentration camp in 1943.

The Festival is striving to offer a positive approach to dark chapters of human history through celebrating creativity in adversity. The greatest pieces of arts, music, architecture and literature were created in the most troubled times.

With that in mind, Maryna Kornienko, a Ukrainian lawyer, made a presentation of Ukraine to students at Gosforth East Middle School in Newcastle, as part of Brundibár Arts Festival. Maryna moved to the UK last year with her daughter and mother and remains a very active member of the Ukrainian community in London. For the past two years, Maryna worked as a legal advisor for the Babyn Yar Memorial Centre – a significant point on the devastating map of the Holocaust in Kyiv.

Maryna’s upbeat performance enabled the Gosforth students to explore Ukraine’s rich culture, history, nature and traditions through the country’s authentic art, music, cuisine, production and awesome landscapes.

BISU also contributed to Maryna’s presentation. It featured video messages from our students who shared their ideas of what it meant to be a Ukrainian and what their biggest dream was.

Maryna Kornienko comments: “The UK provides tremendous support to Ukraine, offering temporary housing, shelter and job opportunities to dozens of thousands of my fellow citizens. I feel it is our duty to keep spreading the word about Ukraine. Telling the truth about the horrors of war and the russian military aggression is vital. But it is even more vital to help the global audience see that Ukraine is a gorgeous, beautiful, powerful and independent country with a unique history and culture. Our nation has reached multiple achievements to be proud of. The country has multiple resources and talented people to make it even stronger and more prosperous once the war is over.”

Helen Cheape, Year 8 Form Teacher/History Co-Ordinator/RE Co-Ordinator, Gosforth East Middle School, adds: “It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to listen to someone talk about her life in Ukraine before and after the war. In school, we try to inspire students with what we call the 4Rs –relationships, resilience, resourcefulness and reflectiveness. They could see these values in droves in Maryna’s talk. They were inspired by the beauty of Ukraine and stories of hope, strength and courage”.

According to Maryna, BISU children’s messages were immensely soul touching. All the more so, if you think that all of them sent their regards to British students from Ukraine where they stayed and still kept going to school.

Alexandra Raikhlina, an award-winning violinist, Artistic Director of Brundibár Arts Festival, says: ‘Brundibar Arts Festival’s 2023 highlight was our education work this year! We were incredibly lucky to have Maryna Kornienko, a Ukrainian lawyer (currently living in the UK with her daughter) visit a local school (Gosforth East Middle School) and give a moving presentation on her life pre-war, the effects of the war on her family and some facts about Ukraine. It was inspiring to watch the children’s reaction and hear their questions. Brundibar Arts Festival is dedicated to educating younger generations for a better future!”

Being a British International School, BISU was made in Ukraine 25 years ago. And BISU continues to stand with Ukraine. Since the outbreak of the war, our schools in Kyiv and Dnipro have never stopped operating, both online and offline. Learning and education have become the symbols of resistance against the aims of the aggressor. Our students will be the next generation to help Ukraine rebuild and prosper, and create a better future for all of us.

We are very grateful to Maryna Kornienko, Brundibar Arts Festival and Gosforth East Middle School for giving our students this wonderful opportunity to share their stories with the global community and talk about Ukraine.

Categories: International Projects

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