Iryna Levchenko played the bandura, one of Ukraine's national intruments, for the National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments (NAOFI) for nearly 20 years before Russia's invasion, and she hopes to one day play and teach music again in Moose Jaw.
Levchenko arrived in Canada on July 4, 2022 with her daughter, her sister, and her nephew. She and daughter decided to leave Kyiv following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
"When the war started, my daughter and I sat in a bomb shelter for seven days," Levchenko remembered in an interview with MooseJawToday.com. "It was difficult, because in one room, (there were) 20 people of different ages sleeping on the floor, along with their animals. We would go home to get food, and then back to the bomb shelter.
"After seven days, I decided to leave for Europe with my daughter."
Levchenko and her daughter took an evacuation train packed with fellow emigrants and refugees — they rode the train on their feet, standing for the entire 10-hour trip because 200 people were in a space meant for 36. After four months in Europe, she obtained visas to go to Canada.
"In general, I've only met great people in Moose Jaw. It's a very nice city," Levchenko said. "My daughter and I were hosted by a very good family, Diana and Tony Brennan. They are very good people with whom we are still friends. ... When we left Kyiv, we only took documents and a backpack with a few things.
"In Moose Jaw, people helped us with (everything we needed). We are very grateful. ... Christy Schweiger organized a group on Facebook to help Ukrainians. (They help) newly arrived people (with furniture, kitchen supplies, clothing, and more), as well as assistance in paperwork."
She left behind a career playing with the prestigious NAOFI and teaching bandura and piano at a music school. She and her sister now work as housekeepers at Temple Gardens.
"I started learning to play the bandura at the age of 11 at a music school," Levchenko explained. "(Later,) I graduated from music college and the University of Culture and Arts. In 2002, I came to work at the National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Ukraine.
"I worked in this orchestra until the start of the war. Along with work, I have been teaching in an orchestra at a music school since 2003. I play bandura and piano."
According to NAOFI's website (noni.org.ua), the bandura is a Ukrainian invention that has come to symbolize the national culture. Its diverse and recognizable sound is integrated into many inspiring Ukrainian orchestral songs. The most common modern version of the bandura is known as the 'academic' or 'Kyiv-style' bandura, with 55-65 metal strings, manufactured almost exclusively in Lviv, Ukraine.
Levchenko said she is enjoying her job at Temple Gardens, but hopes to return to music.
"I dream of opening a music school or development centre for children in Moose Jaw. ... Here in Canada, I tried to find a bandura on the internet, but it is very expensive," she explained. "A professional bandura costs from $4,000, which is (too) expensive for me."
The Facebook group called 'Ukraine help and exchange in Moose Jaw', which helped Levchenko and her family settle in Moose Jaw, hope to help her find a bandura. Co-founder Christy Schweiger said they have, surprisingly, located a few potentials on the prairies — but the cost remains prohibitive.
To follow along with Iryna's story, and those of other Ukrainians newly arrived in Moose Jaw, or if you're interested in lending a hand, find 'Ukraine help and exchange in Moose Jaw' on Facebook.
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