Zelensky appears at the Grammys and sends heartfelt message

“What is more opposite to music? The silence of destroyed cities and killed people." This is how Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky began his surprise speech at the 64th Grammy Awards. Although many expected him to appear at the Oscar gala, the Ukrainian leader sent a video message to the world at this weekend's gala.

"Our children draw falling missiles, not shooting stars. More than 400 children have been injured, and 153 have died. And we will never see them draw," he said in a solemn and emotional tone, prompting one of the most heartfelt moments of the awards night. "Our parents are glad to wake up every morning in bomb shelters but alive. Our loved ones don't know if we will ever be together again. War does not let us choose who survives and who stays in eternal silence," the Ukrainian president added.

Zelensky claimed that war does not allow us to choose who survives and who doesn't. "Our musicians wear bulletproof vests instead of tuxedos, they sing to the wounded in hospitals. Even to those who can't hear them, but the music will make its way anyway," he said just before claiming that in his country they defend the freedom to "live, to love, to sound."

The Ukrainian president took the opportunity to make a plea. "Fill the silence with your music! Fill it today, telling our story. Tell the truth about this war in your social networks, on television. Support us in any way you can; any way you can, but not with silence."

Simplemente, John Legend.
Homenaje a Ucrania en los #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/C3EZAZpwwV

— Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarPlus) April 4, 2022

This particular moment of the gala became a tribute to the Ukrainian people who have been massacred for more than a month after the Russia invaded the country. “And then peace will come. To all our cities that the war is destroying: Chernobyl, Kharkiv, Volnovakha, Mariupol, and others. They are already legends, but I have a dream that they will live. And that they will be free. Free like you on the Grammy stage," Zelensky concluded, which was followed by a standing ovation from the audience.

The remembrance of Ukraine and all those millions of people who are suffering because of the of war continued with John Legend's performance. The artist sat at the piano to perform Free, accompanied by Ukrainian musicians. The singer was joined by artists Mika Newton, Lyuba Yakimchuk and Siuzanna Igidan.

"Let it rain freedom until we are all free," sang Legend, accompanied by a gospel choir, as images of the victims of the conflict played on the screens.