“Nothing is more against war than music”

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, intervened in the 64th Grammy Awards with a previously recorded message, urging the artists present at the event not to remain silent in the face of the Russian invasion, because “nothing more is against it. War rather than music.

“Silence is death, tell the truth in your poems, on networks or on television, but never be silent,” the president continued.

From the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas (USA), where the Grammy Ceremony is being held this year, Zelensky had the opportunity to convey his message; What many criticized in the last edition of the Oscars, where the Hollywood Academy was limited to a minute of silence for those killed in the war.

“Our musicians do not wear costumes, they had to go out and fight to protect the freedom to love, to live and to hear their music,” concluded the head of the Ukrainian executive from the same place where he usually speaks.

Zelensky’s speech ended with some hopeful words: “Peace will come to all our cities in Ukraine and we will be as free as you are today on the Grammy stage.”

Zelensky’s message was followed by a performance by John Legend, who premiered the piano ballad “Free” with Lyuba Yakimchuk, a Ukrainian poet from the Donbass region who left the country a few days ago.

“Protect my husband, my parents, my child and my homeland,” was one of the phrases Yakimchuk uttered in English.

The Grammy scene was illuminated in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag, and images of armed conflict were displayed on screens.

Rumors circulated last week that Zelensky was going to interfere at the Oscars, according to host Amy Sumer, where he admitted that he had offered the idea to Gala producers, but in the end it was a Grammy, the most popular awards in Georgia. The music industry who posted the message.

The Grammys, in collaboration with Global Citizen, have also created a helpline for war victims that viewers can contribute to.