My latest Vilni Media article covers the first stop of the Intercontinental Radio Festival of Ukrainian Song in Dallas, Texas.
The story follows the opening of the “Sing Native” (Співай рідною) Intercontinental Radio Festival of Ukrainian Song as it began its first in-person tour in Dallas. It focuses on the people behind the event and how organizers and the local Ukrainian community brought the festival to North Texas.
The event was organized in partnership with the U.S. Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, led by President Tamara Velsher, and Ludmyla Kasyanenko, a longtime festival juror.
Beyond documenting the opening concert, the article traces how Sing Native evolved from an online initiative into an international festival and why its first in-person tour began in Dallas. It also explores the festival’s mission of preserving the Ukrainian language through music and highlights the collaboration between organizers, performers, and the local Ukrainian community. One of the evening’s most memorable moments came when founder Natalia Bahmut praised the many non-Ukrainian members of the Barvinok choir who learned to sing in Ukrainian.
“I’ve had many tours, but this is the first time I’ve seen so many Americans singing in Ukrainian. Almost the whole choir! I am amazed! Thank you, Dallas! Bravo!” Bahmut said.
Read the full article on Vilni Media:
“Sing Native” Begins Its First U.S. Tour in Dallas
More articles in my Vilni Media column:
Tatyana Bessmertnaya — Vilni Media
