Husband-wife team Mirko Guerrini and Ilaria Crociani have turned to the power of music to make a difference.
Lamento Ucraino, a song written by Guerrini and sung by Crociani, examines the world from a child’s perspective: “Father isn’t good at waging war, we have God on our side and we’ll stay on this earth forever.”
“I was struck by the news that Ukrainian men were only given 24 hours to leave their families and go to war,” Guerrini, a well-known jazz musician and composer, said.
“I wrote the song straight away; we recorded it with the intention of releasing it on the virtual program, TG Suite.
“Created by Davide Riondino during Italy’s lockdown, the program features songs, stories and poems inspired by current affairs.
“However, this concept still seemed limiting to us, and Ilaria suggested the idea of a fundraiser.
“This ‘musical call to arms’ involves artists from all over the world who wanted to express their solidarity with Ukraine through music.”
Over 40 songs have now been uploaded to a Bandcamp account by Italian, Australian, Canadian, American and German musicians.
The community will be able to listen to the songs and send a financial donation to humanitarian organisation United Help Ukraine via PayPal.
“Artists were able to choose whatever songs they wanted,” Crociani said.
“It was very important to us that each performer could express their creativity within their own genre, through recorded improvisations or recited poems.”
Many other songs were soon added to Crociani and Guerrini’s original piece, including: Un mercoledì piovoso; La preghiera dei pini che sussurrano, written by the couple together with Danilo Sidari; Il Cerchio by Francesca Breschi and Adolfo Broegg, who passed away in 2006; Kiev by Sergio Kossu; Ukrainian Skies by Dairo Cecchini; and Dancing with Jim Pepper by Silvia Mano, which references the American saxophonist’s ties with the Indigenous peoples of America.
“Historically, artists have always been in favour of peace because art is inclusive, beyond any religious or political affiliations,” Guerrini said.
“We were confused by the SIAE’s [Italian performing rights organisation’s] recent decision to suspend payments to Russian artists.
“An Italian colleague reminded us that concerts used to be organised for peace efforts.
“We felt compelled to do something.”
The community response has been extraordinary and the initiative has raised over $500 in a matter of days.
“Often, we feel powerless in these situations,” Crociani concluded.
“But it’s wonderful to observe how citizens around the globe have united for a common purpose.”
