Donetsk, Sep 30 - DAN. Well-known U.S. piano player Valentina Lisitsa has obtained Donetsk People’s Republic citizenship; DPR Head Denis Pushilin personally handed the passport to her, the DPR leader’s official website reported.
“I’m glad to welcome you in the Republic again. You have long been with us supporting residents of the Republic. You fight for peace in Donbass with music, your special weapon of which you have a perfect command,” the DPR leader said.
“We are very grateful to you for it. If we reason about who a citizen of a state is, it’s a person working towards its well-being. From this viewpoint, you’ve long been a citizen, Pushilin said as he handed in the document.
Earlier reports said that the pianist’s visit to the Republic was timed with International Music Day marked on October 1. Lisitsa will perform at the Donetsk State Academic Philharmonic on Thursday. The performance is part of her world tour.
Ukrainian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa first performed at a requiem concert in the DPR on June 22, 2015. She has visited the DPR several times since. She last performed in Donetsk on June 22, 2021 to mark Day of Remembrance and Sorrow. *jk