Poster Vera Lytochenko
Vera Lytochenko plays violin in a Ukranian bunker.
NPR

From a basement, Ukrainian concert violinist aims to raise people's spirits

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Dubbed the "cellar violinist," Vera Lytochenko performs for family and neighbors as they shelter from Russian attacks. Thousands have watched her recitals on YouTube.

Transcript

LEILA FADEL, HOST:

Good morning. I'm Leila Fadel. A concert violinist is raising spirits as best she can under Russian bombardment in Ukraine. Vera Lytochenko is no longer playing on a stage but in a basement in Kharkiv. Dubbed the cellar violinist, Lytochenko performs for family and neighbors as they shelter from attacks. She plays works by Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky and even a Russian folk song. Her recitals have reached far beyond the confines of that basement. Thousands have watched her on YouTube. It's MORNING EDITION.

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