Vilnius, Lithuania - “When the war broke out, I did not want to leave Ukraine, my home, friends, and family. Yet, every day the situation grew worse. The piercing sound of air raid sirens and explosions meant that we lived in constant fear,” recounts  Alla Cherez, a talented Ukrainian musician from Kyiv who now lives in Vilnius.  

Since moving to Lithuania, Alla actively seeks to promote her love of traditional Ukranian music to provide solace to a community, yearning to return home, after almost three years of war. Her passion for playing the Bandura, a beautifully stringed Ukrainian folk instrument, drives her to share the enchanting music with other migrants at the Migration Information Center MiCenter of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Office in Vilnius.  

"We were overjoyed to welcome Alla into the MiCenter family! Through her inspiring performances and heartfelt efforts to provide comfort to those in a similar situation, she is making a meaningful impact. Recently, she embraced a new challenge by completing a storytelling course to hone her public speaking skills—a testament to her passion for connection and growth. For many Ukrainians, navigating life in a new country is far from easy, which is why MiCenter is devoted to providing a sanctuary where migrants can unwind and share their experiences and talents," shares Eglė Staškūnaitė, Head of Migrant Assistance and Crisis Management at IOM Lithuania. 

Alla recalls the unsettling feeling when she had to make the unthinkable decision of fleeing her home in Kyiv and relocate to Lithuania. “It was a constant voice in my mind, and it was not an easy decision to make. I did not want to leave Ukraine, but it felt unsafe to stay,” she says, then pauses, gazing pensively into the distance.  

“The day that I had tried to avoid came suddenly when I knew it was time to leave as the situation deteriorated and war came closer to my door. With the assistance of Lithuanian volunteers, who tirelessly visited Ukraine to distribute essential supplies such as clothes, food, heaters, I made my journey to Lithuania,” she recounts. “As soon as I arrived in Vilnius, I walked around a lot, I wanted to feel safe and secure again and remember what it was like to be able to go out without fear and anxiety,” she adds.  

The only possession that Alla took with her to Lithuania was her precious Bandura. This beloved instrument and the opportunity to perform gave Alla the strength and determination to begin to rebuild her life. “Of course, I miss my family and friends very much, but here in Lithuania, I have also met wonderful people who have become my friends. It's such a strange feeling that a terrible event like war can have a positive side, bringing people together while at the same time fostering a sense of belonging through shared experiences,” says Alla.  

Alla is keen to see Ukrainian folk music conquer the world. It has been her dream ever since she attended music school at the age of five, beginning with piano lessons and later gravitating to the Bandura. Even at this early age, Alla, was no stranger to the limelight, regularly participating in concerts and competitions, so it came as no surprise when she embarked on a life-long journey to become a musician.  

Alla performs in Vilnius and other Lithuanian cities, introducing audiences to the beautiful timeless sounds of the Bandura, an instrument unique to Ukrainian culture. After a successful debut in her newly adopted home, Alla now dreams of bringing the melodic sounds of Ukrainian music to a global audience.  

“For every person, folk music is a connection to their past, to their land, to their identity. The war is giving Ukrainian folk songs a new lease of life and is helping us to appreciate who we are and where we come from,” Alla says. “It is very important for me to realize and understand that the music I play is needed, especially in times of crisis. As I pluck at the strings, I can often see the audience reminisce, smile, and cry. They are far away from their loved ones and the life that they once knew,” adds the musician.  

Alla hopes that her music will encourage Ukrainians who have been uprooted to connect with and strengthen their communities abroad. “Of course, I want to go back to Ukraine, but when? I still don't have an answer to this question. For now, I am just focused on bringing hope and harmony to the Ukrainian diaspora in Lithuania.  I thrive and feel alive when I am on the stage sharing Ukrainian folk songs. The melodies from the Bandura are enchanting and unforgettable, giving Ukrainians living abroad the opportunity to remember better times in the past and provide hope for the future,” Alla concludes. 

This story was written by Božena Zaborovska - Zdanovič, bzaborovska@iom.int Photos - Anastasiia Romanchenko