Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared at the 2022 GRAMMY Awards delivering an address from a bunker in Kyiv.
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According to Variety, President Zelenskyy pre-taped a speech for the GRAMMYs within the past 48 hours amidst the continued Russian invasion of Ukraine. “The war,” Zelenskky began, “what’s more opposite to music?”
Zelenskyy detailed the horrors of the war and touched on how Ukrainian musicians have aided their fellow citizens. “Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos,” he said. “They sing to the wounded in hospitals. Even to those who can’t hear them. But the music will break through anyway.”
Zelenskyy concluded his speech by imploring musicians and those watching to take action. “Fill the silence with your music,” he said. “Fill it today, to tell our story. Tell the truth about this war on your social networks, on TV. Support us in anyway you can. Any, but not silence.”
Following Zelenskyy’s speech, John Legend took the stage where he was accompanied by Ukrainian musicians Siuzanna Iglidan, Mika Newton, and poet Lyuba Yakimchuk to perform the song “Freedom.”
In addition to having President Zelenskyy address the audience and those watching at home, the GRAMMYs teamed up with Global Citizen for the Stand Up For Ukraine relief fund. The fund provides shelter, food, clean water, healthcare, education, and more to those displaced by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
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Recently, John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting released the song "Can One Man Save The World?" in support of Zelenskyy and Ukraine. "Like so many of you, I am inspired and in awe of President Zelenskyy, his wife Olena, and the Ukrainian people,” he wrote in the video’s description.
“Their courage and determination in the face of the Russian onslaught gives hope and fortitude to all freedom loving people. In Zelensky I sense we are witnessing a modern day, Winston Churchill. It may make you ask yourself; Can One Man Save The World?"
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