"God has led us here today" were the first words uttered by Ukranian refugee Tanya Huhnina when she entered Truro Cathedral on Monday as the choir was singing Ave Maria in her native tongue.

Tanya and her son Akim, 12, fled the Russian invasion of their country to Cornwall last week to be with family. They were shopping for shoes for Akim's first day at a Cornish school when they felt moved to walk into the cathedral just as Truro Cathedral Choir recorded and filmed ‘Ave Maria’ in Ukrainian ahead of a special Mothering Sunday Youtube release.

When they realised what was happening, Tanya from Chekasky said, 'God has led us here today.’ Akim then joined the choristers in the giant show of solidarity they had prepared, with 10m long blue and yellow satin, and the family stayed to listen to the choir sing in Ukrainian - ‘Ave Maria’ by Valentiin Silvestrov. The video of the performance will be released on Mothering Sunday to support the choir's Crowdfunder for UNICEF’s Protect Children in Ukraine appeal which can be found at: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/cornish-choristers-support-unicefs-ukraine-appeal

Choristers as young as eight years old have been learning to sing in Ukrainian as part of Truro Cathedral Choir’s new Crowdfunder for UNICEF’s emergency appeal: ‘Protect Chil-dren in Ukraine,’ seeking to support the 7.5 million Ukrainian children at risk.

 

The choir performs Ave Maria. Picture Rob McDowell

The choir performs Ave Maria. Picture Rob McDowell

 

The 34 girl and boy choristers (aged 8-18) together with the 12 professional adult singers of the choir have set an initial target of £3,000. They are inviting donations to their Crowdfunder, which has already gathered over £1,300 in its first few days at https://bit.ly/choristers4Ukraine

As part of their fundraiser, the choir wants to learn more about Ukrainian culture and share some of its beautiful music with a wider audience in Cornwall and beyond. As well as the video there will also be a live performance during the 4pm service on Mothering Sunday on March 27, in Truro Cathedral and all are welcome to attend.

The Crowdfunder was inspired by young members of the choir who wanted to use their talents to help their peers, caught up in the war 2,000 miles away. Support for their venture was immediately forthcoming, with pronunciation guidance from Marta Jenkala, assistant professor of Ukrainian studies at UCL and local encouragement from Cornish Ukrainian and journalist, Dasha Smith.

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"It is so heartwarming and emotional and inspiring to see talented children of Cornwall connect with Ukraine through the power of music," she said. "To sing in honour of Ukraine means so much to me, and to anyone who has been affected by the tragic ongoing events. Music has a magical way of bringing people together, and I give thanks to the wonderful young, talented children of Cornwall - I hope they will feel unity with Ukraine through their music."

 

The Cornish and Ukranian flag combined. Picture Rob McDowell

The Cornish and Ukranian flag combined. Picture Rob McDowell

 

Talking about what motivated them to take part, chorister Kes, aged 11, said: "The news makes me really worried - especially what’s happening to children just like me. I’ve never sung in Ukrainian but I want to do my very best for them all.”

While head chorister, Josh, 13, said: "Some of us have given our pocket money and we hope people will give lots, lots more to help us make a difference.”

“I never imagined that anything like this would happen in my lifetime and I just want to feel like I can help in some way, no matter how small," said chorister Elsie, 13, "I will be honoured to sing this beautiful piece of Ukrainian music.”

Director of Music, Christopher Gray, said: “It has been a joy to discover some of Ukraine’s music recently in preparation for our Crowdfunder. When I came across the music of Valentin Silvestrov it had a stillness and sheer beauty that stopped me in my tracks. The purity of the harmonies and the richness of the extremely low bass notes are well suited to our particular voices and our cathedral’s spacious acoustic.”

Dean Roger Bush said: “The beauty of Silvestrov’s music brings us closer to our neighbours in Ukraine and closer to God. We hope very much that people all over Cornwall and further afield will support us with their donations, so that we can, through UNICEF, give as much practical help as possible,”.