Ian McKellen Performs a Poem by Artur Dron
To mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the renowned British actor Sir Ian McKellen has recited a poem by Ukrainian veteran and writer Artur Dron. The poem, titled 'First to the Corinthians,' was translated into English by Ukrainian poet and translator Yuliia Musakovska. This act of solidarity highlights how the conflict continues to resonate within global arts and culture.
The author, Artur Dron, is a Ukrainian writer from the Ivano-Frankivsk region. 'First to the Corinthians' is part of his collection 'We Were Here.' Dron published his first poetry collection, 'Dormitory No. 6,' in 2020. In 2025, he presented another collection, 'Hemingway Knows Nothing,' for which he received the Yurii Shevelov Prize.
The Significance of the Recitation
Sir Ian McKellen, a two-time Oscar nominee knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, is famed for his roles in 'The Lord of the Rings,' 'The Hobbit,' and the 'X-Men' film series. His recitation serves as a powerful reminder of the war's human cost and a gesture of support for the Ukrainian people. For an international audience, it bridges the worlds of mainstream cinema and poignant wartime literature.
'Love goes out on combat duty, climbs to positions with hernias, with fevers, with prostatitis, with concussions, with asthma and allergies, with a high probability of not returning, with thoughts of someone most important. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things!'
— Artur Dron
McKellen's performance stands as an important act of solidarity with Ukraine and a tribute to the war's victims. The event underscores not just cultural exchange but also the international community's support for the Ukrainian people. Artur Dron's poem, conveying profound emotion, reflects the realities of war and the resilience of Ukrainians in their fight for freedom and independence.