Germanic pipes

This is Radion, who has wonderful antique bagpipes from Germany, Spain, and Latvia.

He is trying to establish a project to teach the playing of these pipes and the cultures of the countries from which they come, across Chernihiv and Ukraine.

He's Tonia's (and thus Aid Convoy's) latest little side project! ;)

Needless to say, John is going to try to get him some Irish pipes, and I some Scottish!

It was particularly lovely to meet him in the park where he had been awaiting us, just playing his pipes to passing Saturday wedding parties. He'd chosen a spot with a lovely piece of raised ground under a tree which served as a seat for us.

Later he played a little in the underground church-in-the-caves. That was truly amazing — I can't imagine how long it's been since that place heard music.

He's very musical, loves even talking about it, and sings a little too.