Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the 64th Grammy Awards Sunday, speaking in a pre-recorded segment shown at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena ibefore John Legend performed a tribute to the war-torn country.
Zelenskyy urged music artists assembled to “tell our story” of a country facing an humanitarian crisis since Russia’s invasion in February. He described the devastating impact on life and music.
“The war, what is more opposite to music? The silence of ruined cities and killed people. Our children draw swooping rockets not shooting stars,” said Zelenskky. “Over 400 children have been injured and 153 children died. We’ll never see their drawing.”
“Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in hospitals,” Zelenskyy said. “Even to those who cannot hear them, but their music will break through.”
“Anyway, we defend our freedom. To live. To love. To sound,” he said.
Zelenskyy ended the speech listing Ukrainian cities under siege. “I have a dream of them living, and free. Free like you on the Grammy stage,” he said.
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Grammys host Trevor Noah introduced Zelenskyy saying, “Even in the darkest times, music has the power to lift spirits and give hope for a brighter tomorrow. There’s nobody who could use a little hope right now more than the people of Ukraine.”
Legend performed his tribute “Free” onstage, joined by Ukrainian poet Lyuba Yakimchuk and Mika Newton, a Ukrainian singer who sang a verse in Ukrainian.
Oscar host Amy Schumer had said she hoped to have Zelenskyy address the Oscars last weekend.
“I want to go to sleep that night knowing that I did my part in raising awareness to some of the horrible things going on, including (what’s happening) in Florida and Texas. The whole world is on fire,” Schumer told USA Today before the Oscars.
But. the Ukrainian president did not appear at the show.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy addresses Grammy Awards in Las Vegas