NEW YORK – Like many arts organizations, Yara Arts Group is going virtual during the pandemic, taking the opportunity to involve artists in other parts of the world. On April 24 and 25, Yara had its first virtual events with well-known Ukrainian poet Serhiy Zhadan, live from outside of Kharkiv. The events were hosted by Virlana Tkacz with technical assistance by Darien Fiorino.
The first event, “Zhadan and Friends: Poetry,” featured poets responding to Mr. Zhadan’s work with their own poetry and Julian Kytasty responding on the bandura. The poets were Dzvinia Orlowsky, Isaac Stackhouse Wheeler, Wanda Phipps and this writer. Yara Arts succeeded in drawing a virtual crowd. The event on Zoom by invitation and on Facebook live had over 1,000 views.