Kiev concert raises young people's HIV/AIDS awareness
19 September 2004
Young talented pop groups and celebrated singers from Ukraine and Belarus participated in a concert in Kiev city centre, Ukraine, on Sunday 19 September to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS among the city's young people. The concert was organized by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Ukraine as part of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria program in Ukraine.
During the event dozens of volunteers distributed 15,000 brochures with information about HIV/AIDS and 15,000 condoms. The impact of the event on the young audience was also evaluated through polling. During the concert contests were held to increase young people's knowledge of HIV/AIDS and how to protect themselves against the virus. There was also one simple message – HIV can not be contracted through friendship.
The concert was opened by Mariya Burmaka whose song ‘Don't be afraid to live!' became very symbolic for people living with HIV in Ukraine a year ago. Local music groups Happiness, 34, Sirik-band and The Carpathians not only added their young enthusiasm but together with host Hennadiy Popenko explained to the audience the HIV/AIDS situation in Ukraine, about how HIV can be contracted and avoided, and, of course, called on young people to think about their health.
Seryoga was the true climax of the concert. His joke-songs, as well as direct and accessible messages about how to protect oneself against HIV and why there should be no stigma attached to people living with HIV, received an energetic and understanding response from the audience of 25,000.
