Ukrainian newcomer gifted violin to perform at fundraiser in Calgary

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When Anastasiia Lykhorstova arrived in Calgary along with her husband and their one-year-old son within the spring of 2022, it was extremely troublesome to regulate to life in a brand new nation after fleeing struggle.

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The household was on an impromptu trip in Lviv, 1,000 kilometers west of their house in Kharkiv, when it was bombed within the early morning of February 24, 2022, the primary day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The household fled to Poland, the place they stayed for a month earlier than coming to Canada.

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Of all of the issues Lykhorstova needed to go away behind after they left Ukraine, her violin was one of many hardest to reside with out.

“I left my violin for the primary time in my life as a result of I did not wish to imagine all of it, as a result of I used to be so assured that I’d come again and every part can be nice,” she mentioned.

Lykhorstova began taking part in the violin on the age of eight. She attended colleges for musically gifted kids in Ukraine and acquired her grasp’s diploma from the Kharkiv Nationwide College of Arts. She is performed in orchestras, as a soloist and in a household band along with her father and brothers. However after the trauma of struggle and transferring to a brand new nation, she did not know what the longer term held for her musical profession.

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“I used to be so damaged – I assumed possibly my life was over and possibly I might by no means play once more as a result of it was too emotional.“

Whereas staying with household in Calgary, Lykhorstova took up piano, reconnected with music and started the therapeutic course of.

From there she met Adriana Lebedovich, a second violinist within the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, who inspired her to select up the violin once more.

Uncertain if her violin would ever make it out of Ukraine, Lykhorstova and her husband visited Heart Avenue’s Aeolian Strings, a family-run string store, to lease a violin.

House owners Ross and Charlene Hill had been delighted to fulfill Lykhorstova and assist her return to taking part in.

“They gave me this lovely violin, so it was actually an indication to me that it isn’t only a violin, it is a good looking violin that you need to play, and you do not simply play for your self, however for different individuals, so it was a giant inspiration for me,” mentioned Lykhorstova.

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“When my Ukrainian violin arrived — it is all about Ukraine, it is too many, too many flashbacks. I used to be like, I can not play my Ukrainian violin so now I’ve new life, new violin, in order that’s why we modified our devices. I feel it is like a part of my life and a part of my coronary heart, and I used to be able to share it with others.”

Ross Hill felt a right away reference to Lykhorstova and agreed to take her Ukrainian violin to promote of their store.

“The entire course of that Ukrainians undergo and what displaced individuals undergo is problematic sufficient, not to mention looking for your toes in a brand new nation. . . I knew instantly it was one thing I may do to assist them,” Hill mentioned.

The Calgary-based string instrument craftsman, or luthier, has been making devices for 5 a long time. He made his first violin on the age of 10, and has since received awards for his creations and taught as a college professor for 30 years.

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“I had about 4 or 5 devices that had been of fine or higher high quality, so I assumed I’d have one thing that would work for her and with the Ukrainian gamers. They’ve a tradition for violin taking part in that’s second to none,” he mentioned.

“What I wished to attempt to do is make it much less painful for her.”

Hill settled on a violin by British craftsman George Wulme-Hudson for Lykhorstova.

When she performed for him within the retailer that day in 2022, Hill mentioned it triggered many reminiscences and feelings from his previous.

“It is a sort of music that I actually like. After I was youthful I listened to Oistrakh and Kogan, and I had a Ukrainian buddy who performed within the Borodin Quartet, and that is what I grew up with – so that is the music I have been listening to all my life has.”

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Hill mentioned it was an honor to have the ability to assist Lykhorstova.

“I simply have a lot respect for the Ukrainian individuals and what they have been by means of,” Hill mentioned.

Along with her new violin, Lykhorstova has performed weddings, gigs with different musicians, landed a place within the Rocky Mountain Orchestra and plans to proceed performing and sharing her expertise and love of music with others within the Calgary space.

She’s going to carry out with a choir and different musicians at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church performs in a fundraising live performance to assist the work of the Ukrainians of Calgary Affiliation.

The $30 tickets embrace a cheese and wine reception, and will be bought on-line or on the door.

Thus far, the Ukrainians of Calgary Affiliation has shipped greater than 10,000 models of medical provides and raised greater than $300,000 for Ukrainians in want.

“I am so welcomed and I am so pleased in Calgary, the persons are so open,” Lykhorstova mentioned. “It is a very highly effective neighborhood right here and loads of Ukrainians.”

ocondon@postmedia.com