Marianna Oleksun, a Ukrainian oboist who hails from the country’s southeastern port city of Mariupol, has joined the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday, April 5, on the initiative of Georgia’s Culture Ministry, according to the Georgian Public Broadcaster.
The Principal Conductor, Vakhtang Kakhidze, introduced the musician and her 6-year-old son to the Orchestra members. According to Kakhidze, the introduction was “extremely emotional”, adding solidarity and support among members of the Orchestra meant they would search for ways to assist their new colleague.
Moreover, Oleksun, whose husband and brother are also musicians, expressed gratitude to Kakhidze and the Orchestra members for their assistance, describing it as “quite pleasant.”
Furthermore, Oleksun, who performed in the Philharmonic Orchestra of Mariupol before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, will begin performing with the Tbilisi Orchestra today at the Kakhidze Music Centre in the city. She will be permitted to remain in the Orchestra till the conflict in Ukraine is over.
Mariupol has been under siege by Russian military forces for over a month, with the city’s mayor, Vadym Boichenko, claiming that the blockade and bombardment had damaged 90 per cent of the town’s infrastructure.
Olha Vidisheva, a Ukrainian dancer who was stuck in Georgia during the invasion due to the commencement of hostilities in her country, joined the Tbilisi Contemporary Ballet ensemble last month and is featured in the troupe’s performances.
