Tear Drop Memorial event for the Alexandrov Ensemble Red Army Chorus

ALEXANDROV ENSEMBLE ONE YEAR MEMORIAL TO TAKE PLACE AT THE TEAR DROP MEMORIAL

IN BAYONNE, NJ THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 6^TH, 10 AM

 

“They say when words fail, music speaks. Arts and culture are meant to bring peace to people.”

 

One year ago, on December 25^th, 2016, a Russian plane on its way to Syria to perform for troops crashed into the Black Sea.  The entire Alexandrov Ensemble (Red Army Chorus) musicians and dancers, as well as several promising young journalists and a beloved charity worker perished along with the crew.

Two weeks following this tragedy, on the day Christmas is observed in Russia,  a memorial service was held for the Ensemble  at the Bayonne Tear Drop Memorial, organized by the Schiller Institute NYC  Chorus, the NYPD Ceremonial Unit, and representatives of the Bayonne Fire Department.  Color guards from Bayonne and New York City participated.   Speakers also included Terry Strada of the 9/11 Families United for Justice Against Terrorism, who lost her husband on 9/11, and Peter Iliichev, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations,  The Tear Drop Sculpture, also called the memorial “To the Struggle Against World Terrorism”, was built by the Russians as a gift to the American people following the tragedy of 9/11.  In her remarks, Terry Strada concluded:  “Tragedies like this can bring a nation together. Today, it is bringing two nations together. I hope you find comfort in knowing that we feel your pain and mourn your loss, too,” she said. “Russia wanted us, the American people, to have a memorial for the fallen heroes and the citizens lost and killed on 9/11 with a teardrop representing that the world cried with us. Thank you for your kindness and support. Today, we offer you the same.”

The Jan. 2018 event was covered in the Hudson Reporter :http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/27345177/article-Chorus-honors-Alexandrov-Ensemble-at-the-Teardrop-Memorial--Members-of-BFD--NYPD--and-Russian-consulate-join-?instance=bayonne_top_story, and received other international coverage.    Other articles and videos were posted by:  Ruptly [https://ruptly.tv/vod/20170107-028]  and Russia Today:  https://www.rt.com/news/372986-schiller-chorus-us-anthem-alexandrov/  and others.  The videos were viewed by an international audience of over 1 million people.

THIS YEAR’S ALEXANDROV ENSEMBLE ONE YEAR MEMORIAL

The Alexandrov Ensemble One Year Memorial will take place in Bayonne, NJ  this Saturday, January 6^th, also on the weekend of the celebration of Christmas in Russia. The gathering and wreath laying will take place from 10 am to 10:45 am at the Tear Drop at 51 Port Terminal Blvd., Bayonne, NJ  07002.

Later in the day, there will be a Musical Commemoration for the Alexandrov Ensemble from 2 pm to 4:30 pm,  presented by the Schiller Institute Chorus and the Foundation for the Revival of Classical Culture at Good Shepherd Faith Presbyterian Church at 152 W. 66^th St., New York, NY 10023.  Musical offerings will include the famous Bach Chaconne.

With the Syrian war potentially ending, this year’s tribute for the Ensemble takes on a particularly strong significance.  The Ensemble was travelling to the war front in Syria when they perished.   The invitation from the Schiller Institute NYC Chorus for this year’s ceremony reads:   “Let us resolve that these lives have not been in vain by dedicating ourselves to the creation of a new paradigm, where violence is no longer accepted as human activity.  As Friedrich Schiller admonished us all in his poem, The Artist, ‘The dignity of Man into your hands is given, protector be!  It sinks with you!  With you it is arisen!”

Saturday, January 6^th, 2018

Wreath Laying Ceremony 10 am to 10:45 -- 51 Port Terminal Blvd, Bayonne, NJ  07002

Musical Commemoration for the Alexandrov Ensemble

2 pm to 4:30 pm at Good Shepherd Faith Presbyterian Church, 152 W. 66^th St., NY

 

For more information, call:  201-220-7739.