Christopher Sklepowich is preparing for what an emotional evening at Tuesday’s NHL game between the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens┬атАФ and none of his┬аconcern has to do with hockey.
“There will definitely be a lot of reflection backstage before we step on the ice┬аknowing that, as much as we will be feeling the emotion as ambassadors and figureheads for Winnipeg’s Ukrainian community, it’s incumbent upon us to to walk onto the stage and perform as we can and make sure that our song is heard loud and wide,” said Christopher Sklepowich,┬аtenor with the Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus.
The Jets have asked the group┬аto sing the Canadian and Ukrainian national anthems at the game.
Hoosli has performed the Canadian and American anthems several times at Jets games, but this is a first for the Ukrainian anthem, the lyrics of┬аwhich focus on the concepts of hope and┬аpatriotism, Sklepowich says.
“I know there are definitely a few┬аguys that were very emotionally moved when we found out that the Winnipeg Jets and the NHL are giving us this opportunity. It means an incredible amount to us,” said┬аSklepowich, who is also chair of Hoosli’s board of directors.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now in its sixth┬аday, has seen civilian targets attacked in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, while a convoy of tanks and other vehicles continues to threaten the capital, Kyiv.
Many Ukrainian civilians spent another night huddled in shelters, basements or corridors.
“It’s been a very difficult week in overall kind of taking it one day at a time, making sure that we’re checking in with each other to see how everyone’s doing and and supporting each other,”┬аSklepowich┬аsaid.
“And for those of us with family and friends in Ukraine, staying in contact with them as much as is feasible and┬аsending our love and support to them.”
Hoosli, formed in 1969, has┬аperformed all over North America but Tuesday’s appearance will be one of the largest ever with an estimated┬а31 singers,┬аSklepowich┬аsays.
Both the Canadian and Ukrainian anthems hold great weight for the men of Hoosli.
“We’re very, very fortunate to live in a country like Canada, and it’s never been more evident than now,” Sklepowich┬аsaid.
“It is just so heartbreaking and heart-wrenching to see the images and the stories coming out of Ukraine right now. So as much as our hearts will be breaking for them, we will be using that emotion┬аto spur our performance as well.”
The title of the Ukrainian anthem,┬аShche ne vmerla Ukraina,┬аtranslates into “Ukraine has not died,” and the lyrics┬аgo┬аon to say, “nor her glory, nor her freedom,” Sklepowich said.
“It speaks about how we’re willing to lay our lives on the line for our country, and to prove that we are part of the Great Kozak Brotherhood. It’s a very, very powerful moving piece.”
In addition to singing their hearts for their┬аhomeland, Hoosli┬аhopes the anthem encourages people to remain steadfast in backing┬аUkraine and not let apathy set in.
“Ukraine needs our support now and in the future, to both fight off the invasion and also to rebuild once Ukraine is victorious,”┬аSklepowich said.
