On Wednesday, 2 April 2025, the Kyiv National Academic Operetta Theatre hosted a charity music evening entitled Music of Light: A Charity Evening by Candlelight.
The event welcomed representatives of the foreign diplomatic corps, including the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Albania, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Canada, Indonesia and Serbia, staff from the embassies of Bulgaria, Denmark, Iraq and Italy, representatives of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, the Honorary Consul of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Ukraine, representatives of state authorities, and various partners.
The event was jointly organised by the Kyiv National Academic Operetta Theatre and the State Enterprise ‘Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions’, with the support of the Ukrainian Diplomatic Spouses Association.
The evening began with welcome speeches from Bohdan Strutynskyi, Director-General and Artistic Director of the Kyiv National Academic Operetta Theatre; Tetiana Sybiha, Founder of the Ukrainian Diplomatic Spouses Association, Head of the Centre for Public Diplomacy at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine; Pavlo Kryvonos, GDIP Director-General; and Larysa Sidielnik, Programme Coordinator of the Krona All-Ukrainian Charitable Foundation.
‘We are delighted to welcome you to the National Operetta of Ukraine for this wonderful evening. We hope there will be more light than darkness in our lives. This evening is about light and love because a person who loves, gives, and creates good can never harbour evil. This evening also celebrates our shared commitment to charity. Thank you for being here with us. The event comprises several parts: conversation, brilliant music of light by talented Baroque and Classical composers who brought Ukraine worldwide acclaim, and an exquisite showcase of silk scarves by the OLIZ brand. Wishing you all a pleasant evening’, said Bohdan Strutynskyi.
Tetiana Sybiha expressed her gratitude to the organisers and partners of the charitable event and told guests about the Sumy Children’s Home, which will receive the funds raised:
‘Allow me to thank the organisers — the National Operetta of Ukraine, especially Bohdan Strutynskyi, for this initiative, and GDIP, represented by Pavlo Kryvonos. May our cooperation yield wonderful results. When the organisers approached us in search of a recipient for the aid, I felt it important to nominate the Sumy Centre of Social and Psychological Rehabilitation for Children, which I recently visited. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, led by Andrii Sybiha, supports this institution. Our Association and the MFA Women’s Club also continue to raise contributions. We are pleased to direct tonight’s proceeds towards supporting the children and rebuilding the centre. It was damaged by a missile strike, but it continues to operate and currently hosts 25 children. Enormous efforts are underway: children are being placed in families; already, 75 have joined family-based care. The centre also supports vocational guidance, with many pupils enrolling in professional colleges. Tonight, we will personally deliver the funds to the centre’s director. Thank you for your participation!’
In his welcoming speech, Pavlo Kryvonos thanked organisers, partners and guests for supporting a charitable initiative aimed at assisting children in institutional care:
‘Today, we have gathered in this theatre to enjoy the beauty of Ukrainian music and, at the same time, to contribute to a good cause. It is immensely encouraging to see how culture and charity bring people together. This evening is living proof that, even in challenging times, we remain resilient and determined to help others. Your contributions will support the Krona Foundation and provide essential assistance to children in the front-line Sumy Children’s Home, where your support will have a tangible impact.’
Larysa Sidielnik stressed the importance of supporting children, one of the most vulnerable groups affected by war:
‘The Krona Foundation has worked for 18 years, delivering resources and systemic solutions to address or mitigate social issues in child protection. We have implemented hundreds of projects, supporting more than 500 individuals. This brutal, unjust war will leave a permanent mark on the genetic code of young Ukrainians. What we do today for the safety, health and well-being of children is an investment in how we emerge from this war and rebuild Ukraine. Let us do this together!’
The evening featured a candlelit concert of works by renowned Ukrainian Baroque and Classical composers – Maksym Berezovskyi, Dmytro Bortnianskyi, Mykola Dyletskyi, and Artemii Vedel – performed by soloists, choir and orchestra.
Guests also enjoyed a fashion show of unique designer scarves from the OLIZ brand, featuring prints inspired by the Operetta Theatre. The collection celebrates the theatre’s ornate interior, particularly the painted ceiling dome of the main auditorium, whose artworks and crystal chandelier formed the basis of the scarf designs.
Another evening highlight was a charity auction and lottery held to support the Krona Foundation’s initiatives to introduce advanced technologies in healthcare, improve treatment conditions, and aid the front-line Sumy Children’s Home.
Auction items included: Neither Bullet Nor Saber! commemorative coin in souvenir packaging by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine by NBU; Spring in the Lavra painting by Ivan Pylypenko, size – 55×80 cm, oil on canvas; postcard painting from the creative series Optimism by contemporary artist Roman Minin, presented by the Ukrainian Diplomatic Spouses Association; Adam and Eve silk artwork by the Ukrainian brand GUNIA; The Light of Kuindzhi handmade earrings, inspired by the work of renowned Mariupol-born painter Arkhip Kuindzhi from the Rudkovska art accessory studio; plate by LoraShen brand; kid’s drawing of a foster child of the Sumy Children’s Home; certificate from the NIKO Group of Companies; collectable sparkling wine Krym (Artemivsk, 2006) and collectable wine Kahor Pivdennoberezhnyi (Masandra, 2011) Ukrvynprom Corporation; boxing gloves from Serhii Radchenko, Ukrainian professional boxer, Ukrainian national champion, and holder of the WBC Ukraine title.
Lottery prizes included: Silk scarves from OLIZ, including a print of the National Operetta of Ukraine; a t-shirt signed by the Kyiv mayor Vitalii Klychko; Sunset, a painting by Ukrainian artist Yurii Basanets; the book set Anthology of Ukrainian Poetry of the 20th Century — From Tychyna to Zhadan; 2-persons invitation to visit Dobropark arboretum presented by Ihor Dobrutskyi, GDIP friend and business partner; a gift tube marking GDIP’s 33rd anniversary; a gift box from the Diplomatic Cuisine Factory; a certificate for a haircut at Bida Hair Project salon; the coat of arms of Kyiv; commemorative coins — Pliontanism (Ivan Marchuk) and Let’s Hold the Line! — in souvenir cases from the National Bank of Ukraine; invitation for two to the opera On Rusalchyn Easter by leading director Ivan Uryvskyi at the National Operetta of Ukraine; a chocolate masterclass for two at Lviv Handmade Chocolate on Andriivskyi Descent; a chocolate basket from Lviv Handmade Chocolate; a wristband of valour; a spring floral arrangement by LoraShen; the book Ukraine and the Ukrainians from GUNIA brand; a cap by Ukrainian designer Ruslan Baginskiy; a ball signed by legendary Hungarian player Ferenc Puskás; the book Janet Sobel: War; cookies in a music box; Vietnamese tea; the T-shirt ‘Good evening, we are from Ukraine!’; a collection of Indian tea; designer table napkins; a vase made from recycled plastic by EcoREactive; professional cosmeceutical set by Pharmely.
Following the charity initiatives, guests had the opportunity to communicate informally.
For more information
The Sumy Centre of Social and Psychological Rehabilitation for Children, established in 2012, operates under the Child Services Department of the Sumy Regional State Administration. It supports children aged 3 to 18 and has a capacity of 50 residents. The director is Larysa Prudius.
The centre provides rehabilitation to children facing challenging life circumstances, including orphans, children deprived of parental care, victims of abuse, and displaced minors from active combat zones.
In 2022, 42 children were evacuated to Austria. All have since returned: 18 rejoined their biological families, 17 entered family-based care, and nine enrolled in vocational education.
In 2022–23, the centre supported 75 children. After the return from evacuation, construction of a new civil shelter for 100 people began, with funding from regional and international charitable sources.
On 26 December 2023, the centre opened a branch of the Child Protection Centre operating under the Barnahus model, located at 158 Herasyma Kondratieva Street, Sumy. As of 25 March 2025, the branch has conducted: 95 interviews, 20 investigative experiments, 2 photo identifications, 1 forensic psychological and psychiatric examination, 98 cases of psychological support, and 45 educational group events, engaging 89 children in investigative activities.
The current situation remains difficult due to a missile strike on the institution on 1 September 2024, which destroyed one-quarter of the building and partially damaged the shelter. However, thanks to joint efforts with our international partners, the demolished part of the centre has been dismantled, and the building has been preserved. Reconstruction works have also been carried out to restore the damaged section.
At present, the centre has resumed its operations and is accepting children for daytime care. In particular, in 2024, psychological support was provided to more than 60 children who had been displaced from areas of active hostilities due to military aggression and who required emotional stabilisation and assistance in overcoming anxiety. As of 25 March 2025, 25 children are attending the centre on a daytime basis.
In December 2023, the centre was granted a medical practice licence and, in May 2024, a licence to carry out educational activities at the preschool level.
To ensure a safe environment for children, the Rays of Hope branch of the Sumy Centre of Social and Psychological Rehabilitation for Children was established at 13 Myru Street in Synivka, Romny District, Sumy Region. The facility has a total area of 217 m² and is designed for the 24-hour accommodation of 25 children. The institution began operating on 3 January 2025. Since then, it has accommodated 17 children.
