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Chie Sawada

Ambassador

Chie Sawada is a renowned Japanese violinist and President of the Japan-Ukraine Art Association, known for her emotionally rich performances and tireless support for Ukrainian musicians through charity concerts. She has raised millions of yen in humanitarian aid and continues to promote cultural exchange and long-term artistic collaboration between Japan and Ukraine.

Biography

Chie Sawada (Japanese: 澤田智恵, さわだ ちえ) is a passionate and highly skilled Japanese violinist known for her versatile and beautiful tonal expression.

"Chie is a talented violinist who possesses both diverse, beautiful tones and remarkable musical sensibility. Performing with her is a great joy for me."
— Oleh Krysa, internationally renowned Ukrainian violinist

Education:

  • Graduated from Gnessin State Musical College (Russia) with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.

  • Earned a Diploma from the École Normale de Musique de Paris (France).

Career Highlights:

  • Selected to play legendary violins, including Stradivarius, Guarneri del Gesù, and Amati.

  • Performed as a soloist at the Beverly Hills International Music Festival and in various locations across Ukraine, Europe, Asia, the United States, and Japan.

  • Holds an annual solo recital, which was praised as a “masterful performance” (Ongaku Gendai, 2019).

  • Collaborated with Yokohama Sinfonietta and JUAA Orchestra in concertos.

  • Frequently performs alongside Oleh Krysa, both in Japan and abroad.

  • Appeared as a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and the National Ensemble of Ukraine.

  • Was scheduled to perform in Ukraine in June 2022 as part of the Oleh Krysa Birthday Commemorative Concert Tour in six cities, but due to travel restrictions, she instead organized multiple charity concerts in Japan.

  • As President of the Japan-Ukraine Art Association, raised over 9 million yen in donations through charity concerts in 2022.

Japan-Ukraine Art Association

  • Founded in 2018, the Japan-Ukraine Art Association aims to strengthen cultural ties between the two nations through performing arts.

  • All official events are supported by the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan, with additional backing from Kanagawa Prefecture and the Yokohama City International Affairs Bureau.

Charity Concerts & Contributions

2019

  • Donated 300,000 yen to ADRA Japan's West Japan Flood Disaster Relief Project through proceeds from an Oleh Krysa Tokyo Recital.

2020

  • Medical Support Online Charity Concert & Crowdfunding

    • Donated 1.04 million yen to International NGO ADRA Ukraine.

    • Donated 1.13 million yen to COVID-19 relief funds in Kanagawa and Kyoto Prefectures, which have sister-city relationships with Ukraine.

2022

  • Ukraine Humanitarian Aid Online Charity Concert

    • Phase 1 (April): Donated 6.24 million yen to International NGO ADRA Ukraine.

    • Phase 2: Additional planned donation of 1.1 million yen to ADRA Ukraine.

  • "Ukrainian Picture Book Reading & Music Event" (April 28)

    • Raised 400,000 yen for humanitarian aid.

  • "Chie Sawada Recital" (June 16)

    • Collaborated with Ukrainian refugee saxophonist Kenta Igarashi.

    • Donated 250,000 yen for Igarashi’s living support.

    • Donated 200,000 yen to the Oleh Krysa Charity Fund to support Ukrainian musicians.

  • "My Homeland" Concert by Oleh Krysa (July 7, Co-hosted)

    • Donated 1.13 million yen to the Oleh Krysa Charity Fund for Ukrainian musicians.

2023

  • May 16: "Denys Yablonsky & Chie Sawada Ukraine Support Duo Recital"

  • Participated in multiple Ukraine support concerts organized by other associations in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Nagoya, Gifu, Aomori, and Osaka.

  • Since her student years, has performed in numerous charity concerts for ADRA Japan.

  • Continues to organize and collaborate on humanitarian and cultural support projects for Ukraine.

Vision for Ukraine Support

"I am deeply captivated by Ukraine’s beauty—especially the kindness of its people. Through the power of art, I wish to share the essence of this incredible nation. It is a simple desire: to share something wonderful with the world."

  • Through interactions with Ukrainian musicians, she recognizes their strong sense of independence and their joy in giving rather than receiving.

  • Aspires to establish an “International Japan-Ukraine Arts Festival”, alternating between Japan and Ukraine every two years.

  • Aims to promote Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage and sustain global awareness of its ongoing struggles.

  • Believes that cultural exchange through music and the arts can contribute to economic stability, inbound tourism, and artistic development in both Japan and Ukraine.

  • Advocates for long-term, sustainable support to help Ukrainian musicians and artists regain self-sufficiency in the aftermath of war.

Final Thoughts

"Music connects people. From my experience organizing concerts, I’ve learned that joint artistic projects are one of the most powerful ways to strengthen human bonds. It would be my greatest joy to help the world discover Ukraine’s abundant charm and talent."

  • Currently prioritising financial aid for urgent humanitarian needs in Ukraine.

  • Will continue hosting charity concerts throughout the year to support relief efforts.

  • Hopes to share the power of music and the arts with audiences worldwide.

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