As the world marks two years since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, it must also recognize ten years since Russia illegally annexed Crimea. This decade of aggression has had a major impact on Ukraine and its people, especially in Crimea. To mark both of these events, the Atlantic Council is screening a new documentary, Jamala: Songs of Freedom, that follows Ukrainian-Crimean Tatar singer-songwriter Jamala, winner of Eurovision in 2016, as she leaves Ukraine in the early hours of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Jamala is a recipient of numerous awards including the Atlantic Council’s Distinguished Leadership Award in 2022. The event will begin with opening remarks from Adrienne Arsht, executive vice chair of the Atlantic Council, and H.E. Oksana Markarova, ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, and will be followed by a screening of Jamala: Songs of Freedom and short post-film comments from representatives of Voice of America. A light reception will conclude.

Jamala: Songs of Freedom is produced and directed by Voice of America. Using exclusive iPhone footage, the film paints an intimate portrait of Jamala as she embarks on a worldwide activism campaign in support of her homeland. Jamala became internationally famous after her 2016 Eurovision win for her original song “1944” about Russia’s deportation of Crimean Tatars, which had a significant impact on her own family. She has since used her platform to raise funds for Ukraine’s war effort and raise awareness of Russia’s ongoing aggression.

Registration is open to the first 90 registrants.