UKRAINE-CRISIS/USA-CONCERT US, Kiev stage concert to celebrate freedom and American Independence Day

Record ID: 148500

  • Title: UKRAINE-CRISIS/USA-CONCERT US, Kiev stage concert to celebrate freedom and American Independence Day
  • Date: 4th July 2015
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) KIEV RESIDENT, ANTON SHCHURIKHIN, SAYING: "Yes, in principle it is really not bad, but to be honest I enjoyed the local orchestra more. I think their performance is somewhat more coherent. I will tell you frankly, the guys from the States are of a provincial level."
  • Embargoed: 19th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ukraine
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA5UN9QBVHRU1IJCPXDDRJWJDLV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: U.S. Army Europe band and chorus joined forces with the Ukrainian military orchestra on a stage in Mariinsky Park in central Kiev on Friday (July 3) to entertain locals and celebrate freedom as the United States marks Independence Day.
    A large audience applauded and gave a warm welcome to the U.S. troops who sang and danced on stage as part of "Freedom Concert".
    The United States Army Europe Soldiers' Chorus has previous experience of entertaining in Ukraine - it performed in Lviv in September 2014, where the U.S. trained Ukraine's National Guard at Yavoriv training base.
    Director of the Soldiers' Chorus, Captain Aaron J. Morris, said his team were happy to be celebrating their Independence Day in Ukraine, because the two nations shared a bond when it came to freedom.
    "We are here because it is Independence Day. We are very happy to be here, because Independence Day for America is the beginning of our freedom as a nation. And that is why we are here, we want to share that with the Ukrainian people, because freedom is something that I think both the Ukrainian people and the American people understand very well. It is a bond that unites both our peoples," said Captain Morris, as his colleagues performed popular hits on stage.
    Morris praised Kiev for its hospitality toward the troops.
    "Ukraine is beautiful, and the people are wonderful. People are always smiling, always friendly. And the city, Kiev, is just beautiful, great history, and we've really enjoyed our time here."
    The Chorus, which is stationed at Sembach Kaserne in Sembach, Germany, was first formed in 1963. Organisers say it is aimed at enhancing troop morale through musical performances.
    Songs and dance were followed by a performance by Ukraine's military orchestra who shared the spotlight with their U.S. counterparts.
    Kiev resident Svitlana Skrypnyk who attended the concert said locals were being well entertained.
    "I like it a lot. It is evident that these guys are putting a lot of effort (in the performance). And the audience is giving them such a (good) reception, because walking here I have never seen so many people gathered," she said.
    Another Kiev resident, Anton Shchurikhin, said he had enjoyed the Ukrainian orchestra more then the American one.
    "In principle it is really not bad, but to be honest I enjoyed the local orchestra more. I think their performance is somewhat more coherent. I will tell you frankly, the guys from the States are of a provincial level," he said.
    Some 300 paratroopers from the U.S. 173rd Airborne Brigade are training around 900 Ukrainian National Guards at a military base in Western Ukraine.
    The training mission, which was first announced in August last year, officially started in late April.
    A fragile ceasefire between the Kiev army and the pro-Russian rebels has been in force in eastern Ukraine since February, but each side accuses the other of violations. Kiev fears Russia could commit troops to a push to extend control by separatist forces deeper into Ukrainian territory.
    More than 6,500 people have been killed since the conflict erupted in April last year.
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