Lincoln music festival raises funds for Ukraine, brings cultures together
LINCOLN - A music festival in the capitol city is bringing cultures together, while also raising funds for a good cause.
The Lincoln Crossroads Music Festival is going on now through the thirty-first. The music from around the world hopes to bring cultures together, says executive director Olga Smola.
“The whole idea of the festival is multicultural fair,” Smola said. “We try to build bridges between our Nebraska minority communities and all of us around the world.”
Olga is originally from Russia and now teaches music at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She herself is a violinist who performing at the festival. She says proceeds from select shows are being donated to those in Ukraine caught up in the conflict with Russia. Smola says that’s being done to help those in need, and keep up awareness of the tension between nations.
“I would say this situation should be talked about. We cannot forget about this,” Smola said. “It may no longer be on the front lines of the news, but I think it’s important that this situation hasn’t finished, unfortunately.”
Smola says the festival features many different types of music from around the world.
“It’s hard to put in the books that this is just classical or blues or jazz,” Smola said. “It’s more of a combination. It’s hard for people to know what to expect, but I think the main thing to know about this concert is the music will touch your heart.”
Additionally, Smola emphasizes the fact that the festival also is an opportunity to display the cultural diversity within the Cornhusker state.
“We exist to celebrate and raise the profile of Nebraska’s rich and diverse cultural heritage through music and contextual story telling and workshops."
A complete schedule of events and concert locations can be found online at lincolncrossroadsmusic.org.