Volya Voices choir

I have been approached by the Ukrainian Volya Voices choir of Bexhill-on-Sea to work with them to capture their stories in words and portraits,  and compile them into a book.  It's early days, and it will be a privilege to work pro-bono with them.

We start in earnest at the end of July (24).  I'll post updates (and maybe portraits - with permission) as we go along.

Update February 25

The books are ready and with fantastic support from local organisations the book will be launched at the De La Warr Pavilion (DLWP) on the 1st March, in the rooftop foyer.  

There will be an associated exhibition running from the 1st to the 15th March  (Sunday 2nd excepted owing to prior commitment in the rooftop foyer space) - so if you can make it, please go along and have a look.

One hundred books have been donated (fifty from myself) and will be on sale from the DLWP shop at £14.00.  If we can sell all these at the event - that will be £1,400 to support the choir in sending critical First aid supplies to support those defending Ukraine.  

Can't get to the De La Warr Pavilion?   The book 'Voices of Volya' will also be available online.  More details here...

Thanks are due to the De La Warr Pavilion for providing the space, support, and for selling the book through the shop.  To Rother Voluntary Action and the Bexhill Hub to Support Ukraine for their matching donation of books, and last but not least, to the Deerfold Trust for providing a grant for the portraits and graphic displays of the exhibition.

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Update January 25

The first proof has been received and is with the ladies of Volya Voices for some final small checks (especially any mistakes on my spelling of Ukrainian names!)

Also a big sigh of relief for me - I have used licensed fonts from a Ukrainian design company for the book, and while everything looked good at my end, how would they print?  Answer - absolutely fine.  I had a problem with one particular punctuation mark - but that was my fault and is now fixed.

The Spring publication date is looking good!

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Update December 24

The portraits of the choir have been finished, the stories have been recorded and we are now in the last stages of final tweaks and approvals. 

The book will be ready for it's first proof  January 2025.

It will be hardback, case wrapped, with about 80 pages of full colour.  We are working hard on the the final print specification.  You will not be surprised to know that the cost of paper has not gone down, so we are trying to balance quality with affordability.  The main thing is that we are not going to skimp on the quality - that would not do the portraits and stories of these amazing women justice.

All things being equal the book will be ready for sale in the Spring of 2025 at Volya Voices choir concerts and online, so watch this space, or you can register for updates straight to your inbox below.

All profits from book sales  will go to supporting the Volya Voices choir to support those defending Ukraine.