Toronto/New York, March 15, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
Social Media Call for an International Day of Solidarity on March 16: “DETY: Where are you?”
Please address questions on to: [email protected]
For the second anniversary of the Mariupol theater bombing on March 16, 2022 (one of the largest mass murders of the thousands of war crimes committed by Russia during the full scale invasion of Ukraine) an innovative group of Ukrainian artists and activists from North America is organizing an International Day of Solidarity, or a “flashmob,” in remembrance of the lost children of Ukraine. Inspired by the bilingual song written by Leo Wolansky, Sr. “ДЕ ТИ: Where are you?”, the initiative is bringing together artists in the Ukrainian diaspora of North America and Ukraine, including the renowned Ukrainian boys’ choir “Dudaryk” and Volodymyr Tykhyy of the “Babylon’13” filmmakers in this trans-Atlantic event.
The key for the project comes from the lyrics of the song, “The russian word for ‘kids’ was written on the pavement of the shelter in Mariupol and could be seen from the skies. But if you split that word in two, it spells ‘Where are you?’ Can you hear the victims’ desperate cries? ДЕ ТИ? ДЕ ТИ?…” (“ДЕ ТИ” is pronounced “De Ty”).
Given the irony of the double meaning, “ДЕТИ” (“children” in russian) vs. “ДЕ ТИ,” (“where are you” in Ukrainian), the initiators of this action propose organizations that are sympathetic to Ukraine take the occasion of the second anniversary of the bombing, March 16, to recreate the giant letters, “ДЕТИ” (or alternatives “ДІТИ,” “ДЕ ТИ,” or “ДЕ ТИ?”) on parking lots, playgrounds, or playing fields. Sidewalk chalk is a perfect medium for a temporary sign on pavement. School children have also created the giant signs using their bodies, standing in the configuration of the letters, and the resulting words have been filmed from drones. Pictures of the giant letters on pavement can also be taken from a standing position and aggregated. It is hoped that the pictures and videos will be sent to social media as well as at [email protected]. For less ambitious individuals, “profile pictures” for social media platforms could also express solidarity.
The question “ДЕ ТИ?” (Where are you?) is a phrase that all human being who have lost someone temporarily or permanently can relate to. The phrase can also be expanded to “Where are you, World?” for abandoning Ukraine and the unthinkable, horrific possibility if the genocide continues, that history could ask “Where are you?” to the Ukrainian nationality. The AP estimates that 600 civilians were killed in the Mariupol theater bombing, many of them children, but there are 6,000,000 children still living in Ukraine that can be saved!
A 2-minute video is available in English and Ukrainian:
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DETY.Project
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/941460424030417
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/detyproject
- Web: https://dety-charities.com
Partners in the making of this video and providing information support include The Ukrainica Institute, Canadian League of Ukrainian Women, Yuriy Lypa School in Toronto, St. Josaphat School in Toronto, “Our School” at St. George Parish in Edmonton, Ivan Franko Ukrainian courses in Edmonton, Plast Scout fraternity “Khmelnychenky”, Dnipro Foundation of Oshawa, Kulyk Family, Forum TV of Toronto, Alberta Kontakt (Edmonton), Babylon’13, Dudaryk Choir, World Congress of Ukrainians, World Coordinating Educational and Cultural Council.
Hear the song “DE TY: Where are you?”: – https://youtu.be/c6Bc4fiFMNc?si=XbMPGncxLn0fJCud
About the song:
Words, music, guitar: Leo Wolansky, Sr.
Performers: Leo Wolansky, Sr., Olia Fryz, Leo Wolansky, Jr., Ivan Wolansky, with participation of the Lviv State Academic Male Choral Capella “Dudaryk” of Lviv, Ukraine.
Sound Engineer: Slau Halatyn.
News Service: Forum TV (Toronto): https://youtu.be/jl8f0HxZcOs?si=9IXQA-iFcFjRun2O
The website dety-charities.com provides more information including the names of confirmed charity organizations which are working to return kidnapped Ukrainian children from Russia, and assist the children victims of the war with physical and psychological recovery in Ukraine, US, and Canada.
Help the Ukrainian Children:
- to return home, with assistance from Save Ukraine;
- to heal, with assistance from “Children’s Voices”;
- to obtain free medical consultation through RII in the US;
- to get support from Help Us Help in Canada.
