The invasion of Ukraine by Russian armed forces is an appalling act of war on a sovereign and peaceful European country. The Board of the European Music Council is shocked by the current situation and the loss of innocent lives.
We stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian colleagues and the Ukrainian people as they stand up to the Russian invaders. We express our empathy with all who are currently fleeing from the terrible attacks and trying to save their lives and those of their families.
We highly respect all the people, musicians and cultural operators in Russia who dare to speak out against this war via statements, demonstrations or resignations.
As a European network of music networks that have members in Ukraine and Russia, the European Music Council is convinced that music can build bridges and contribute to peace, tolerance and mutual understanding.
In Europe we are united in our solidarity with the Ukrainian people. The bloodshed must end and we will be there to support our Ukrainian colleagues now and in the future.
In the spirit of solidarity we share the statement of the European Cultural Foundation (ECF) and their solidarity fund. You can inform the ECF about emergency needs, especially in the field of culture ([email protected]).
European Culture of Solidarity Now
- The Putin regime has brought war back to Europe.
- Putin’s war on Ukraine is a war on Europe.
- He must not succeed.
- As Europeans, we stand resolutely in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and all those, including in Russia, who resist Putin’s attempt to rewrite European borders and European history.
- For more than six decades, the European Cultural Foundation has advocated for and invested in a European sentiment, a feeling of mutual comprehension and solidarity between the peoples of Europe.
- Today there is no more urgent place to realise our European culture of solidarity than in Ukraine.
- Unity and solidarity are our European strengths. Putin’s attack on Ukraine puts our values to the test. We must support our friends, colleagues and everyone currently suffering in Ukraine and share the burden of our solidarity among us Europeans.
We really are in this together. - The future of Europe is made right now in our response to the war on Ukraine, our response to Putin’s war on Europe.
This must be a European Moment! - We, at the European Cultural Foundation, are reviewing all our programmes, partnerships and resources to determine the best way to provide immediate emergency support and to stand with Ukraine with joint actions that are strengthening our European Culture of Solidarity overall.
Because peace, unity and democratic solidarity among Europeans need constant nurturing and growth. - Please join us!
- Notify us about emergency needs, especially in the field of culture. Inform us about already ongoing (cultural) initiatives on the ground that need support. Send us your ideas for how to act in a culture of European solidarity with Ukraine now: [email protected]
You may donate directly to a Ukraine emergency edition of the ECF’s Culture of Solidarity Fund.
Together with numerous other European cultural organisations, the EMC signed a petition to urge world leaders to provide funds and support for continued cultural collaboration in Ukraine. Please sign here.
