Contra Spem Spero – A Compilation of Ukrainian Handpan Music

Sorry! We are experiencing technical difficulties with the PayPal donation button! For now, use the “Friends and Family” transfer on PayPal to:

< ramanhandpan1983@gmail.com >
Please include the message: “Future Rust”

About this project:

“Contra Spem Spero!” is the title of a poem by Ukrainian poet and activist Lesya Ukrainka, which roughly translates to “Against All Expectations, I Hope.” It was written in 1890 – a period when the Russian empire had made it illegal to publish in the Ukrainian language – and asks us to summon courage in the face of great hardship.

Given the current circumstances, we also found the phrase to be an appropriate title for this compilation of Ukrainian handpan music.

The album includes tracks by artists like Anton Strilets, Mila Urban and Anatoliy Gernadenko, among others, as well a few remixes/reworks of cellphone-recordings we received from musicians currently hiding in bomb-shelters.

Where does the money go exactly?

The proceeds are being divided amongst the Ukrainian artists according to the immediacy of their financial need, as well as local charitable efforts organised by OMana.

OMana has organised a local support group in Ukraine, helping to get supplies (food, water, clothing, and medicine) to those who need them. They have been transparent in their efforts, posting daily photos of transaction receipts to their Instagram page.

Because the situation continues to change, it is difficult to say exactly how the donations will be spent, but OMana and the contributing artists who are still based in Ukraine will make collaborative decisions based on current information. You can follow OMana on Instagram to get daily updates.

Sorry! We are experiencing technical difficulties with the PayPal donation button! For now, use the “Friends and Family” transfer on PayPal to:

< ramanhandpan1983@gmail.com >
Please include the message: “Future Rust”

 About this project:

“Contra Spem Spero!” is the title of a poem by Ukrainian poet and activist Lesya Ukrainka, which roughly translates to “Against All Expectations, I Hope.” It was written in 1890 – a period when the Russian empire had made it illegal to publish in the Ukrainian language – and asks us to summon courage in the face of great hardship.

Given the current circumstances, we also found the phrase to be an appropriate title for this compilation of Ukrainian handpan music.

The album includes tracks by artists like Anton Strilets, Mila Urban and Anatoliy Gernadenko, among others, as well a few remixes/reworks of cellphone-recordings we received from musicians currently hiding in bomb-shelters.

Where does the money go exactly?

The proceeds are being divided amongst the Ukrainian artists according to the immediacy of their financial need, as well as local charitable efforts organised by OMana.

OMana has organised a local support group in Ukraine, helping to get supplies (food, water, clothing, and medicine) to those who need them. They have been transparent in their efforts, posting daily photos of transaction receipts to their Instagram page.

Because the situation continues to change, it is difficult to say exactly how the donations will be spent, but OMana and the contributing artists who are still based in Ukraine will make collaborative decisions based on current information. You can follow OMana on Instagram to get daily updates.