
Linfield University will commemorate the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with two events that celebrate Ukrainian culture, art and resilience.
On Wednesday, Feb. 28, the “Misperceptions, Misinformation and Disinformation: Insights on the Third Year of War in Ukraine” panel discussion will examine the war through four unique lenses. The following night, “Songs of Love and Freedom — A Celebration of Ukrainian Music” will gather renowned Ukrainian musicians, supported by Linfield choral students, to highlight both classical and folk works for voice, piano and bandura, the iconic Ukrainian harp.
“Misperceptions, Misinformation and Disinformation: Insights on the Third Year of War in Ukraine” panel discussion
When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28
Where: T.J. Day 219
Cost: Free and open to the public
More information: Evan Hillberry, ehillberry2@linfield.edu
Three Linfield professors of political science and economics will be joined by a Ukrainian psychotherapist and founder of DAWN, a relief and mental health nonprofit. Panelists will address a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from military economics to foreign affairs:
- Linfield Professor Dawn Nowacki, who specializes in Russian comparative politics, will unpack the current political situation in Ukraine and Russia, as well as prospects for the upcoming year with regard to the war and pathways to peace.
- Linfield Professor Eric Schuck, an economics professor, will expand on the current situation with food exports from Ukraine and the failures of sanctions against Russia, as well as insights into the war from his perspective as a Naval Reserve Captain.
- Linfield Professor Patrick Cottrell will discuss his take on U.S. foreign policy around Ukraine, the issue of Ukraine in the U.S. election, and insights from international law and global governance.
- Dr. Yulia Brockdorf is a psychotherapist and president of DAWN, Inc., a 501(c)3 that has delivered four airplanes filled with medical supplies to Ukraine, survival supplies and evacuation aid. She has traveled to Ukraine four times to provide psychotherapy to front-line fighters and training to Ukrainian psychiatrists and mental health clinicians. Brockdorf will provide insights about front-line Ukrainian soldiers’ experiences.
“Songs of Love and Freedom — A Celebration of Ukrainian Music”
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29
Where: Richard and Lucille Ice Auditorium inside Melrose Hall
Cost: $10, available online, or free with Linfield ID
More information: Visit the event website, call 503-883-2285 or email abelov@linfield.edu.
“Songs of Love and Freedom” spotlights Ukrainian music of exceptional beauty and lyricism. You will hear the heavenly sounds of the bandura, Ukraine’s iconic harp, played by virtuosic master Valentyn Lysenko, and powerful folk songs performed by ethnomusicologist Inna Kovtun in collaboration with Linfield Concert Choir. Additionally, the program will include a world premiere of “Piano Rhapsody on Ukrainian Themes” by Alexander Rosenblatt and art songs by Mykola Lysenko, Vasyl Barvinsky and Myroslav Volynsky performed by Linfield Professor Anton Belov and Stanislav Serebriannikov.

