Song Searcher: The Times and Toils of Moyshe Beregovsky

**Jewish Public Library and KlezKanada Joint Statement on the Screening of Song Searcher **

On Tuesday March 15th, we will be screening the film Song Searcher, a documentary on the life and work of ethnomusicologist Moyshe Beregovsky. The film tells a remarkable and all too timely story of Jewish cultural survival in Ukraine under Stalinism and before, during, and after the Second World War.

In recent days, it has come to our attention that the film’s primary financial sponsor is Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. His name appears prominently at the start and end of the film and is featured on some of the film’s promotional materials. According to many, Abramovich is one of Vladimir Putin’s closest associates, named by imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny as "one of the key enablers and beneficiaries of Russian kleptocracy”. At the same time, Abramovich has used his enormous wealth to support a variety of worthwhile endeavours with some of the world's most renowned Jewish institutions and in support of a range of Jewish cultural projects; this film is one small example of this activity.

While we recognize that much good has come from Abramovich’s philanthropic efforts, in good conscience, we feel we must acknowledge that the source of his largesse is fundamentally compromised. Especially in light of the current Russian invasion of Ukraine, in no uncertain terms we wish to distance ourselves from Abramovich and condemn his activities that enable and support Putin’s regime.

After much careful consideration, we have decided to go ahead with the screening of this film as originally planned. Beregovsky’s story is a vitally important example, especially now, of bravery, ingenuity, and endurance in the face of war, fascism, and genocide. In showing the film, we hope to honour his work and those of the filmmakers, artists, and scholars who bring his story to life.

In solidarity with Ukraine and with those who protest in Russia, let us say:

Ні війні

Нет войне

No war

Pas de guerre

לא מלחמה

ניט קיין מלחמה

Jewish Public Library

KlezKanada

Montreal, QC

Moyshe Beregovsky, a musician and scholar, criss-crossed Ukraine with phonograph in hand during the most dramatic years of Soviet history in order to record and study the traditional music of Ukrainian Jewry.

Filmed on location in Ukraine and many other countries, loaded with unique video footage and archival audio materials, this film is much more than a mere account of Moyshe Beregovsky’s life and work.

The music rescued by Beregovsky is heard throughout the film, either in its original archival version or performed live by some of the best contemporary klezmer musicians. As they play this music of the Yiddish soul for appreciative audiences in all corners of the earth, they hope that these recently rediscovered old melodies, which laugh through tears and fill hearts with love and humanity, will help heal our broken world.

Introduced by Sebastian Schulman, Executive Director of KlezKanada.

In collaboration with the Montreal Holocaust Museum, KlezKanada, The Toronto Workmen's Circle, and The Montreal Worker's Circle.

Russia 2020, 83 min.

In Russian with English Narration by Hershey Felder

Director and Writer Elena Yakovich

Please note that this event is geo-blocked to Quebec and Ontario.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 7:30 p.m. EST

Tickets: $10