Richard Gere recites poem by Yuriy Izdryk in heartfelt tribute to Ukraine’s Independence
Richard Gere recited a poem by Yuriy Izdryk in a video message to Ukrainians (Photo: Ukraine WOW)
Hollywood actor Richard Gere recorded a video message to Ukrainians for the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, reciting a poem by Yuriy Izdryk and expressing his unwavering support for the country.
The Ukraine WOW project filmed the Pretty Woman star in New York, where he read Yuriy Izdryk’s poem “The Other,” translated by Roman Ivashkiv and Erín Moure.
“I’m talking to you today from New York City and sending my best regards. Today I want to recite a poem by the Ukrainian poet Yuriy Izdryk” Gere said. “To the people of Ukraine, all of you, I send my warmest greetings and my complete unwavering support. Congratulations on Ukraine’s Independence Day. I remain by your side. I am your brother.”
Gere read the final lines of the poem in Ukrainian.
“We are grateful to Richard Gere for taking the time to film in New York, and for how beautifully he pronounces the final line of Izdryk's poem in Ukrainian,” Ukraine WOW co-founders Yaroslava Gres and Yulia Solovey said. “On this fifth year of the full-scale war, every voice that reminds the world of Ukraine is crucial.”
There was a funny twist behind the video's production, the co-founders revealed. They spent months planning the project with Gere's team, but had no idea if it would actually happen until the actor accidentally leaked the news himself during a June television interview in Latvia, which was quickly picked up by Ukrainian media.
The Hollywood actor is a staunch supporter of Ukraine and has repeatedly expressed his solidarity with the Ukrainian people since Russia's full-scale invasion.
In 2022, Gere auctioned off his 1999 Jaguar XK8 convertible to raise funds for Ukraine. He also performed at the "Concert for Ukraine" benefit at New York’s Carnegie Hall and participated in the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, where he condemned Russian war crimes.
Gere expressed his support for Ukraine and spoke out against Russia’s war of aggression during an interview in June, stating that he finds it difficult to understand Vladimir Putin's motives but considers the conflict a colonial war.
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