On 24 February, 2022, Russia initiated a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine causing death and suffering to millions of Ukrainian citizens. With a benefit concert on 24 February 2023 featuring various Ukrainian musicians, including the SonCe Trio, percussionist Konstantyn Napolov, singer Maryana Golovchenko and young students from the Davidsbündler Music Academy, we contribute to the Ukrainian fight for freedom, sustained solidarity for Ukrainian people, and stand together against injustice. The evening is organised by the University of Amsterdam, Davidsbündler Music Academy, University of New Europe and the Ukrainian Embassy of the Netherlands, with the support of TRIDA Foundation, the Amsterdam University Fund and Alumni Association AUV.
Image:
Image: "May That Nuclear War Be Cursed!", Maria Primachenko, 1978. Several of Primachenko’s works were destroyed during the bombing of The Ivankiv Historical and Local History Museum by the Russian army.

The concert took place in the 17th-century Lutherse Kerk in Amsterdam for 450 people, and it was also available for everyone around the world to watch and listen to through a livestream. Internationally renowned musicians, including the Ukrainian singer Maryana Golovchenko, percussionist Konstantyn Napolov, and Mischa Maisky Trio, played works by Ukrainian composers in a varied programme that showed the richness of Ukraine's musical tradition. The evening was opened by the Mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, and presented by Jet Berkhout (NPO Klassiek). Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Maksym Kononenko, were also in attendance.

With the concert, we aim to combat compassion fatigue - a problem that is important for this war, just as for many conflict situations elsewhere in the world for which ongoing public attention is today vital.

Donate

The concert took place on Friday, 24 February. You can still make a donation via the form below.

Musicians

Performing musicians included:

Aula - Lutherse kerk

Singel 411
1012 WN Amsterdam