LAS VEGAS — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared in a video message at the Grammy Awards to ask for support in telling the story of Ukraine's invasion by Russia.
During the message that aired on the show Sunday, he likened the invasion to a deadly silence threatening to extinguish the dreams and lives of the Ukrainian people, including children.
Here is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's pre-taped speech at the #Grammys, introducing a performance for Ukraine from John Legend: "Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in hospitals." https://t.co/rjX2S54hkr pic.twitter.com/43fcZTrjQK
— Variety (@Variety) April 4, 2022
"Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in hospitals, even to those who can't hear them," he said. "But the music will break through anyway."
The Recording Academy, with its partner Global Citizen, prior to the ceremony highlighted a social media campaign called "Stand Up For Ukraine" to raise money and support during the humanitarian crisis.
WATCH: In bunkers and at evacuation points, music uplifts a nation under siege
"Fill the silence with your music. Fill it today to tell our story. Tell the truth about the war on your social networks, on TV, support us in any way you can any, but not silence. And then peace will come to all our cities," Zelenskyy said.
Following Zelenskyy's message, John Legend performed his song "Free" with Ukrainian musicians Siuzanna Iglidan and Mika Newton, and poet Lyuba Yakimchuk, as images from the war were shown on screens behind them.
Sustain our coverage of culture, arts and literature.
Bryan Ford catapulted to prominence during the pandemic's bread-making frenzy, inspiring millions online with innovative twists on sourdough bread, all…
Tia Kennedy is an Indigenous rights activist in Canada. Growing up, she struggled to access Indigenous culture and practices. As…
92-year-old Joy Ryan and her grandson Brad Ryan have spent the past seven years crisscrossing the U.S. with the goal…
Friday would have been Capote's 98th birthday, but he died a month shy of his 60th year, a victim to…
The humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine extends far beyond its borders. Days before the war started in…
Our own Judy Woodruff was honored with the Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement in Television News. She shared some words…
Coolio, the rapper who was among hip-hop's biggest names of the 1990s with hits including "Gangsta's Paradise" and "Fantastic Voyage,"…
Abdulrazak Gurnah is receiving worldwide attention after being awarded last year's Nobel Prize in Literature. His latest novel "Afterlives" is…
In recent decades, producers of movies, TV series and other forms of art have been trying not only to reach…
Spanish prosecutors accused the entertainer in 2018 of failing to pay 14.5 million euros ($13.9 million) in taxes on income…
Rihanna is set to star in February's Super Bowl halftime show. The singer, who declined to perform in the 2019…
Olivia Moultrie started her professional soccer career at the age of 13. For our Weekend Spotlight, Geoff Bennett spoke with…
Hilary Mantel died Thursday at age 70 near her home in Exeter, England. She authored 17 books, but it was…
Elton John said Friday that he'd played in some beautiful venues, but the stage in front of the White House,…
The Booker Prize-winning author of the acclaimed "Wolf Hall" trilogy has died. Hilary Mantel was 70.
