Awareness raising: Special Performances

This article is part of the Festivals For Ukraine Toolkit.

• Creator: Music Saves UA & YOUROPE
• Published in: 2024

Arranging a special performance is an excellent way to create a memorable moment and make your festival stand out. To make such a performance dedicated to Ukraine, you can consider the following:

• getting artists from your home country to collaborate with Ukrainian artists to present some unique programme in order to promote unity and friendship between your countries
• making a multidisciplinary performance, combining artist performance with an orchestra, choir, dance, theatre, visual arts, light installation, acrobatics, etc
• commissioning artists to create a unique programme that will only be performed or will premiere at your festival
• if your budget is limited, giving a prime time or a special slot to a Ukrainian act, creating a special title for this performance, highlighting it in the line-up and doing extra promo also works

The possibilities for such a performance are limitless and are only limited by budget and creativity. Here are some examples of Ukraine-themed performances that took place at European festivals since 2022:

Luhansk Philharmonic performance at Pohoda Festival 2022

In 2022, Pohoda Festival invited the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Luhansk Regional Philharmonic to open their main stage, accompanied by visual works by 50 Slovak created to express solidarity with Ukrainians. The performance of the orchestra was preceded by speeches from the festival’s founder, Michal Kaščák, the orchestra’s director, Ihor Shapovalov, Vlad Yaremchuk from Music Saves Ukraine and Ukrainian artist and combat medic Stasik. This orchestra had to flee its home due to Russian aggression twice – first, they fled Luhansk in 2014 and then Severodonetsk in 2022. The festival also organized a free-to-attend performance for them in the heart of the festival’s home city, Trencin.

Symphony of Free Ukraine at Pohoda Festival 2023

In 2023, Pohoda festival commissioned 3 Ukrainian composers to write new compositions dedicated to Ukraine, which were performed for the first time by the Orchestra of the Slovak National Theatre on the festival’s main stage. The festival also produced 5 vinyl records of the performance, 3 of which were gifted to the composers, one to the festival team, and one to Music Saves Ukraine, later to be sold for a €500 donation. This way, the festival highlighted Ukrainian talent, provided Ukrainian composers with financial support and allowed them to hear their compositions live from a festival stage performed by a big orchestra. It also created an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind memory for everyone at the festival. 

We say that Pohoda is a celebration of freedom and we do our best to confirm that by action. I believe in the strength of art. Democracy and freedom are not given, to keep them “alive” is daily work and sometimes also a fight. Brave people in our neighboring Ukraine are paying the highest price in that fight and we must do our best to show solidarity and fellowship with them. Everyone can do small miracles and that includes us, music promoters. At Pohoda, we fundraise for Music Saves Ukraine, ambulances, medical needs, but even for ammunition, as we want to show that the majority of people in Slovakia have their hearts on the side of humanity. We also implement our values when creating the line-up. Ukrainian Philharmonic in 2014 on our main stage, Luhansk Philharmonic 8 years later, Kherson theatre and Symphony of  Free Ukraine in 2023 are all important highlights of our line-ups at Pohoda. Symphony of Free Ukraine was exceptional in many ways – we asked three young composers from Ukraine to write new music and the world premiere took place at Pohoda, where it was played by the Slovak National Theatre. I am absolutely sure, that music, arts, discussions, NGOs and other activities that we do with our Ukrainian friends are building a stronger emotional connection between people and in the end support the best values of humanity.

Michal Kaščák / Pohoda Festiva

Balaklava Blues at Colours of Ostrava 2022

Colours of Ostrava put a spotlight on Ukraine by inviting the Ukrainian-Canadian folktronica act Balaklava Blues to perform on the festival’s main stage. They joined forces on stage with the Czech Permonik Choir and Ukrainian dancers in a co-production with Tanec Praha festival to create a one-of-a-kind performance. 

Click here to watch the video: https://www.facebook.com/colours.of.ostrava/videos/575952903880515 

Queens Orchestra at Metronome Festival 2023

Metronome Festival, based in Prague, gave the honours of opening its 2023 edition to a Ukrainian all-female 17-member multi-instrumental ensemble the Queens Orchestra and the Czech artist David Koller. Before their performance, Mariana Mokrynska from Music Saves Ukraine, the festival organizers and a Ukrainian embassy representative delivered their speeches.