MHP supported the US tour of the ANTYTILA band, during which they collected UAH 10 million in support of DIU
The second phase of the large-scale international tour within the “Culture VS War” project involving ANTYTILA, the Ukrainian band, was completed in the USA.
The “Culture VS War” project is a series of documentary episodes telling the truth about the war in Ukraine via stories of well-known creative people who joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and celebrities who are actively engaged in volunteering.
The “Culture VS War. Antytila” tour around the USA was organized by the ANTYTILA band in partnership with the Revived Soldiers Ukraine Foundation and United Help Ukraine, at the initiative and comprehensive assistance of the “Watch Ukrainian!” Association, supported by the MHP-Gromadi Charitable Foundation and the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Main Communications Directorate of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The first phase of the project was successfully implemented in the UK.
The band had public informal meetings with the US and Ukrainian communities in Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Washington. The core of each event was the “Culture VS War” documentary and a long straight discussion between the musicians and the guests after watching the film. Documentary footage of the first months of the full-scale invasion, sincere emotions, and personal stories of the band members — troopers Taras Topolia, Serhiy Vusyk, and Dmytro Zholud about being at the front line as paramedics — made quite an impression on the audience. The opportunity to communicate with musicians, sing along to favorite hits with them, discuss pressing and important topics, ask any questions, pieces of advice, or simply exchange opinions and be heard, made each event special.
Each new undertaking, each new story you put your efforts and hopes in and expect to get a proper and desired result, requires not only an attainable goal and the right intention but also reliable partners on the way. Without hesitation, MHP and I immediately set out across seas and oceans, like Captain Cook, to achieve all the goals set. We succeeded. We collected more than two hundred thousand dollars for the needs of the DIU special units, conducted large-scale information and counter-propaganda campaigns for the US audience, and shared the necessary messages, namely those related to the Ukrainian economy strengthening and the removal of trade barriers between countries. On behalf of the entire team of the “Culture VS War” project, I would like to express my gratitude to MHP for its support. We have common values and a vision of the right things to do, so we continue our cooperation! — comments Taras Topolia, the frontman of the ANTYTILA band.
The guests of the events raised topics of support for Ukraine, calling on the band members to take decisive action. To lobby for the pressing issues of hundreds of Ukrainian prisoners of war, economic barriers, and the continuous unhurried manner of the US government when making decisions. ANTYTILA called on the Ukrainian and US communities to promote economic and political amendments, which would create options for powerful military operations to fight against the enemy.
The “Culture VS War” project is crucial for spreading the truth about Ukraine through art, and this US tour was an important milestone. We got a strong response from the US audience, who supported our fight for freedom wholeheartedly. Cultural events within the project helped draw attention to the horrors of war and present the strength of the Ukrainian spirit. “Our task is not only to fight on the battlefield but also to use the art to tell the world that Ukraine is a country that has the right to peace and a future, — commented Yurii Melnyk, Deputy Chief Executive Director for Sustainable Development, MHP.
Another important task of the ANTYTILA band during the US tour intended to support the “Culture VS War” project was participation in private events involving government representatives, politicians, diplomats, business owners, philanthropists, and public and cultural figures. Thus, the Philadelphia City Council held private meetings of honorary consuls and ambassadors of European countries with band members, and the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York organized a private meeting of the musicians with the Consul General and the representative of the Czech Republic to the UN in the Bohemian National Hall. On the 50th anniversary of the Ukrainian Scientific Institute, Harvard University invited ANTYTILA to talk with the scientific and creative community, and the Washington Capitol opened its doors for the band to talk with senators, members of the defense, finance, and state budgeting committees during the Ukrainian Action Summit.
Apart from the informational and cultural purpose of the US tour within the “Culture VS War” project, there was also a charitable purpose — to raise funds for the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense. UAH 10,000,000 — is the total amount the ANTYTILA brings home to allocate to the needs of special units of Ukrainian intelligence working in the Crimean direction. ANTYTILA Charity Foundation brought 600 kg of unique war trophies to another continent as auction lots to be raffled off among Ukrainian and US guests of events. For the first time, a unique artifact of war was sold at auction on the US territory — an intact Orlan-10 reconnaissance UAV, which was actively used by the enemy to monitor and adjust artillery strikes. In Chicago, this eloquent evidence of the skill of Ukrainian soldiers was sold for USD 15,000!
Important meetings in support of Ukraine, UAH 10,000,000 in donations for the needs of DIU, high-quality interaction with US politicians and Ukrainian diplomats — all this is an excellent example of efficient cultural diplomacy. Together with our partners, we will continue to actively develop this direction, — noted Andriy Rizol, producer of the “Culture VS War” project, Chairman of the Board of the “Watch Ukrainian!” Association.
Following the US tour, ANTYTILA immediately went on a big concert tour around the cities of Ukraine to continue raising funds for the needs of DIU.