Ukrainian Poets at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art

I was honored to return to the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago, to read with Olena Jennings, Krystia Nora, and Virlana Tkacz from the Ukrainian Poets Respond anthology. It was a lovely surprise to hear Waldemart Klyuzko talk about his experience working on the set and design for Radio 477! which just closed in NYC:

Inspired by the 1929 Ukrainian avant-garde jazz musical (the first jazz musical in Ukraine), Radio 477! has original songs and text by New York City-based Yara Arts Group in collaboration with artists in Ukraine, including Serhiy Zhadan.

  
Another the wonderful projects created by Virlana and Yara Arts. Thank you to Marta Farion for taking and sharing the following photos from the reading, and thank you to UIMA for providing us with the space, surrounded by inspirational art. Thank you also to everyone who came out to hear us read!
It is always an honor to share the stage with these remarkable artists and writers, and to be gifted with an audience that is so present and open-hearted.
We are a force when we join our voices with those across the ocean—past and present—and we are stronger together.

Come Discover the Secret Origin of Santa Claus – An Interview in Comic Book Yeti

“It was the way that Santa inspires generosity that led me to connect his mythology to that of the ancient Muses. From ancient times, the Muses have helped to direct people toward their creative potential. It seemed to me a perfect pairing: Santa as the spirit of generosity and wonder partnered with a Muse, the personification of encouragement and inspiration.”

~Valya Dudycz Lupescu

I really enjoyed being interviewed by Ty Whitton for Comic Book Yeti about Mother Christmas, and I’m delighted to share it with you here:

https://www.comicbookyeti.com/post/come-discover-the-secret-origin-of-santa-claus-an-interview-with-valya-dudycz-lupescu

Here’s a sneak peek, but I hope you’ll follow the link to read the rest!

These are the ornaments I referenced in the interview (and in the previous screenshot).

 

Ukrainian American Poets Respond

I was honored to share the stage with so many talented writers at the Ukrainian American Poets Respond launch last weekend. Our poems were a cry for justice, a prayer for peace, a call for remembrance, and a demand to be seen and heard.

Thank you to Olena Jennings and Virlana Tkaczfor organizing such a powerful event and anthology, and to the Ukrainian Institute of America for allowing us to use their beautiful space to share our poems about Ukraine, the war, our roots and our future.

Here is a link to a facebook folder with some of the photographs from the event: Ukrainian American Poets Respond.

Thank you to everyone who came out, bought the book, showed support, and shared the message.
Short woman in a sundress holding the Ukrainian American Poets Respond anthology in her hands.
Photo by Marco Palmieri, 2022
*** Edited to add links for those who wish to purchase a copy.***

You can order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ukrainian-American-Poets-Respond-Virlana/dp/1735147869

You can also search Indie Bound to order one from a local bookstore: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781735147864