This event marks the sixth Markian Ochrymowych Humanitarian Award banquet, established in 2010, to honour individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact on our community by maintaining, strengthening, and advancing a meaningful cause. The 2025 award recognizes the power of song in the Ukrainian culture as it reflects the soul of the people. Choral singing is a characteristic trait of the music of the Ukrainian nation. Our songs are part of the Ukrainian soul, our very identity – emotionally resonating with each of us through every war, through every revolution, throughout our long and rich history. The importance of preserving the Ukrainian song as a shield for a nation’s culture is captured in Taras Shevchenko’s words, “Наша дума, наша пісня не вмре, не загине…” - Ukrainian culture will not die as long as Ukrainian song and music shall be alive. It is for this reason that we honour Halyna Kvitka Kondracki - for her exceptional dedication throughout her 60-year musical to career to preserve and proliferate the resilient spirit of the Ukrainian language through the beauty of choral compositions and the power of song.