Ukrainian artist makes cultural stand at Venice Biennale

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A refugee who fled Ukraine to live with her future in-laws in Falkirk told how her hometown was destroyed by bombing - and turned into "hell."

Bono and The Edge last night performed a 40 minute acoustic set in a bomb shelter in Kyiv, after accepting an invitation from Ukrainian president Volodmyr Zelenskiy.The musicians played to around 100 people in a subway station currently being used as a shelter from attacks on the city. In a statement, the musicians said that Zelenskiy “invited us to perform in Kyiv as a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people and so that’s what we’ve come to do”.The set included U2 hits such as ‘With Or Without You’, ‘Desire’, ‘Angel Of Harlem’ and ‘Vertigo’, as well as a cover of Ben E King’s ‘Stand By Me’ performed with Taras Topolia, frontman of the band Antytila, who recently also appeared on a remix of Ed Sheeran’s ‘2step’, while also fighting in the Ukrainian army.During the performance, Bono told the audience that of all the great cities around the globe there was “nowhere in the whole world that we would rather be in today than in the great city of Kyiv”.“The people in Ukraine are not just fighting for your own freedom, you are fighting for all of us who love freedom”, he said.

violence and bloodshed at the hands of Russia, Ukraine got a bit of rock-fueled relief thanks to U2’s Bono and The Edge, who were invited by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a surprise concert in Kyiv. “Zelenskyy invited us to perform in Kyiv as a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people, and so that’s what we’ve come to do,” the musicians wrote on U2’s Twitter page. Bono and The Edge performed an acoustic show with just a guitar and some mics in a subway station in the Ukrainian capital that has been converted into a makeshift bomb shelter.

Jennie Punter Last week Darya Bassel, the curator of Docudays UA’s industry platform, returned to her home in Kyiv and found herself smiling “like a crazy person” to be back at work and resuming something of a daily routine. “I’m still sitting 12 hours a day with my laptop,” she said during Slava Ukraini, an early morning session that kicked off Day 2 of Hot Docs’ Industry LIVE conference.“There are just some additional tasks on my to-do list,” she continued.

Angelina Jolie has been pictured in the Ukrainian city of Lviv as part of a mission for refugees.DONATE NOW: What can you do to help Ukraine?The special envoy to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) visited hospitals and local organizations helping the injured and displaced, but shocked residents when she walked into a local coffee shop in the western city on Saturday morning.She was dressed casually in a baggy gray pants, and an oversized gray jumper, with a backpack slung over one shoulder.Walking in with a male companion, guests quickly approached her and asked for autographs.READ: 5 ways to cope with news induced anxiety right nowPARENTING ADVICE: How to talk to your children about the Ukraine/Russia conflict"I just went to have a coffee, and it’s only Angelina Jolie,: wrote local journalist Maya Pidgoretska, who posted the video to Facebook."Ukraine is simply supported by the entire world." Angelina with local childrenAngelina was appointed Special Envoy in April 2012, focusing on major crises that result in mass population displacements, undertaking advocacy and representing UNHCR at the diplomatic level.In March she spoke of the Russian invasion in Ukraine and shared a poignant post about Ukrainian children.

United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Angelia Jolie is visiting the Ukrainian city of Lviv this weekend, located in the western part of the war-torn country.

Ukraine are already the firm favourites to take victory at the Eurovision Song Contest in a fortnight’s time with their entry Kalush Orchestra.

Benedict Cumberbatch is doing more than opening his heart to refugees fleeing Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. He's also opening his home — and his checkbook.The  star told earlier this week in London that he'll soon be taking in a family that has fled Ukraine and offered an update on the family's progress getting out of the war-torn country.«They've made it out of Ukraine,» he told the British TV network.

In March, then-Oscar nominee Benedict Cumberbatch said of the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the British Academy Film Awards, “We need to donate. We need to push our politicians to continue to create some kind of a refugee…haven here for people that are suffering.”

Zack Sharf Benedict Cumberbatch confirmed to Sky News that he will house a family of Ukrainian refugees at his home in the United Kingdom. The family fled Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion.“They’ve made it out of Ukraine; I’m monitoring their progress every day,” Cumberbatch said. “Sadly, they are undergoing some medical treatment.

Ozzy Osbourne is looking to host two families of Ukrainian refugees at his Buckinghamshire estate, according to his wife Sharon.The couple are set to return to the UK permanently after living in Los Angeles for over 25 years. It comes after Sharon landed a new job at TalkTV, while Ozzy has expressed a desire to “come home” amid a series of health problems.During a new interview with The Sunday Times, Sharon criticised the UK government over the issues relating to processing refugees who have fled Ukraine as Russia’s invasion of the country continues.“I think it’s heinous what [Prime Minister Boris Johnson] is doing,” she told the publication.Asked if she and Ozzy would be rehoming any of the affected refugees, she replied that they were planning to welcome “two Ukrainian families into the unused properties” on their country estate.“Ozzy’s very well known in Ukraine, I think they’d be happy,” Sharon continued.Earlier this month, Ozzy and Sharon shared a joint video message in which they called on world leaders to pledge substantial support to those fleeing the country.

VENICE, Italy -- For the first time in the 127-year history of the Venice Biennale, the world’s oldest and most important contemporary art fair features a majority of female and gender non-conforming artists, under the curatorial direction of Cecilia Alemani.The result is a Biennale that puts the spotlight on artists who have been long overlooked despite prolific careers, while also investigating themes including gender norms, colonialism and climate change.Alemani’s main show, titled “The Milk of Dreams,” alongside 80 national pavilions opens Saturday after a one-year pandemic delay. The art fair runs through Nov.

Japan Opera Foundation, performs “Melody,” composed by Myroslav Skoryk, her voice turns into a wail of mourning, a pensive but piercing prayer for her homeland.“It’s like I’m crying through the melody for people who are already in heaven,” she said.Stepanyuk, who has been singing in Japan for two decades, is dedicating her latest series of concerts to peace.Admission was free. But the packed crowd, who gave a standing ovation, was stuffing bills into the blue and yellow boxes at the door, collecting donations for water, food and medicine for Ukraine.“Music has no borders.