In 2022, as Russia initiated a full-scale invasion on February 24th, Ukraine’s musicians united to safeguard their culture and democracy. They orchestrated numerous benefit concerts in Ukraine and worldwide, amplifying the voice of Ukraine.
In December, during the «Notes from Ukraine» concert at Carnegie Hall, commemorating the centenary of «Shchedryk» (Carol of the Bells), filmmaker Martin Scorsese profoundly declared, «You can kill the people, but you can’t kill the culture.»
Music provided solace in Kharkiv’s subways and the opening of the Kharkiv Music Festival took place underground. The Art Hub Odesa launched the online music marathon «Cultural Power,» supporting the Ukrainian army and refugees. The Music Battalion, active since 2014, continued to organize benefit concerts and other initiatives across Ukraine. In Lviv, the Music Cultural Front emerged in March, commencing with jazz concerts at the railway station to support refugees, later hosting charity concerts and live streams from bomb shelters.
Jazz venues overcame formidable challenges, reopening their doors from April onwards in Kyiv, Odesa, Rivne, and Chernihiv. Lviv welcomed musicians from across Ukraine, enabling the continuation of music and performances. Courageous festival organizers conjured enchanting events, including the Kyiv Bouquet Stage, the jubilee Art Jazz Festival in Rivne, and Jazz Bez in various cities with international line-ups. Music remained resilient and unwavering, never ceasing.
The Ukrainian Institute, dedicated to promoting Ukrainian culture abroad, faced a frozen budget during the invasion. However, support from friends, such as Katowice City of Gardens, provided refuge to countless Ukrainian refugees and initiated artist residencies and concert opportunities. The Ukrainian Institute resolved to carry on its activities as an institution committed to continuing professional dialogue on the international cultural stage.
In 2022, the Ukrainian Institute initiated first official Ukraine’s participation at jazzahead! in Bremen, featuring the first Ukrainian national stand, a delegation at the conference, and performances by Vadim Neselovsky, Ihor Osypov, and LELEKA.
Collaboration with the Europe Jazz Network yielded successful projects and initiatives, including an interactive list of Ukrainian musicians who had to leave the country due to the war, participation in the Sarajevo festival, and the addition of the Ukrainian jazz guide to the EJN website as part of the Jazz Panorama program. The fruitful work and negotiations at jazzahead! led to Ukraine’s first official delegation at WOMEX, featuring a national stand, exhibitions, film screenings, participation in conference networking sessions, and a concert by Balaklava Blues.
The Ukrainian Institute also initiated the exhibition «Ukrainian Jazzmen at War» to honor famous Ukrainians defending their homeland. This exhibition premiered at WOMEX ‘22 was further presented in Warsaw at several jazz venues, Budapest Ritmo and jazzahead!. Collaboration with the Jazz Institute in Darmstadt offers hope for an increased Ukrainian presence in the largest European jazz archive. The enduring festival partnership between Szczecin Jazz and Jazz on the Dnipro resulted in a harmonious joint concert featuring Ukrainian and international musicians at Lagow Lake.
The outpouring of love and support from the Polish people and numerous initiatives have reaffirmed Ukraine’s sense of belonging to a larger family. Special thanks go to Jazz Forum magazine, with whom cooperation began in 2021, and for motivating the exploration of the Ukrainian jazz scene that resulted in special edition on Ukraine by Jazz Forum in January 2023.
Almost two years have passed since the full-scale invasion in Ukraine started. Amidst war atrocities, Ukraine has been undergoing a profound transformation, and crucial indicators of music sustainability have emerged:
Resilience and Adaptability:
Musicians have demonstrated remarkable resilience and adapted to rapidly changing situations. They’ve converted unconventional venues into unique concert spaces, even performing during electricity shortages. Foundations and crowdfunding initiatives have emerged to support musicians and music infrastructure.
Private Initiatives and NGOs:
Ukraine’s civil society played a pivotal role in preserving the country’s musical heritage. Private initiatives and non-governmental organizations displayed extraordinary mobility, cooperation, and resourcefulness, ensuring the sustainability of the Ukrainian music industry.
Reinventing Identity:
Musicians like Eurovision winner Jamala have turned to their cultural roots for inspiration. Jamala’s new album «QIRIM» reflects a deep reconnection with her Crimean Tatar heritage.
Musical Innovation:
Musicians have incorporated the sounds and instruments of war into their programs. This creative response includes using weapons as art objects and musical instruments.
New Initiatives and Unions:
New initiatives have emerged, such as the Institute of Improvisational Music in Lviv and the «Jazz Relocation» project in Lviv, uniting musicians and fostering new collaborations.
Emerging Festivals and Venues:
New music festivals have arisen in Ukraine, and new concert venues have enriched the music scene. Notable additions include the Kharkiv Frontier Jazz Fest in Ukraine and the internationally acclaimed SVITANOK festival, held in Norway with plans for further editions. In Kharkiv, the Yermilov Center, nestled within the historic Kharkiv University building, has become a vibrant hub for concerts and interdisciplinary events. The scene has been invigorated by the introduction of brand-new venues, including Odnodumzi in Kyiv, Na Poshti in Ternopil, and Froots in Kyiv, providing fresh platforms for musical expression and cultural exchange.
The Yermilov Center, nestled within the historic Kharkiv University building, has become a vibrant hub for concerts and interdisciplinary events. The scene has been invigorated by the introduction of brand-new venues, including Odnodumzi in Kyiv, Na Poshti in Ternopil, and Froots in Kyiv, providing fresh platforms for musical expression and cultural exchange.
Cultural Diplomacy in Wartime: The Ukrainian Institute’s Multifaceted Approach
Amidst the challenging backdrop of wartime in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Institute (UI), a governmental institution, has been at the forefront of cultural diplomacy, using various initiatives to promote Ukrainian culture on the international stage. Here, we explore the multifaceted approach that UI has taken to engage with the world during these tumultuous times.
1. Bringing Awareness of Ukrainian Current Situation:
UI recognizes the importance of raising global awareness about Ukraine’s ongoing situation. To achieve this, they have undertaken several crucial actions:
- Cooperation with Europe Jazz Network (EJN): UI has partnered with EJN to create a list of Ukrainian musicians who now find themselves abroad due to the war. This initiative not only brings visibility to these musicians but also serves as a testament to their resilience.
- Sending Newsletters: UI regularly sends newsletters to an international audience, keeping them informed about the latest Ukrainian music releases, new programs, and more. This is a vital tool for updating the world on Ukraine’s cultural contributions, even during challenging times has collected stories from famous Ukrainian musicians who are currently unable to perform due to their frontline service. The resulting «Ukrainian Jazzmen at War» exhibition is a documentary photo project, displayed at various international venues, which tells the stories of these musicians. We hope to see these artists return to the stage soon, their experiences reflected in their music.
2. Implementing Cultural Programs as a Soft Power in Conflict Resolution:
UI recognizes the role of cultural programs as a form of soft power in conflict resolution. They have executed numerous initiatives to achieve this:
- Extra Sound Program: UI’s «Extra Sound» program facilitates the participation of Ukrainian musicians at showcase festivals worldwide. This includes events such as WOMEX, jazzahead!, Waves Vienna, Reeperbahn, and c/o pop. In 2022, UI made its first official presence at jazzahead! and WOMEX with national stands, official delegations, and participation in conferences and showcase programs.
- List of Cooperation Proposals: UI has compiled a list of cooperation proposals from Ukraine’s music industry, spanning musicians, festivals, concert venues, labels, and more. This provides a framework for collaborations and partnerships with international counterparts.
- Climate Change Initiatives: UI is in negotiations with Europe Jazz Network (EJN) to integrate Ukrainian concert venues and festival organizers into the green tours program, addressing climate change concerns and fostering sustainable practices in the music industry.
3. Integrating Ukraine into the International Discourse:
UI strives to integrate Ukraine into the international cultural discourse through various projects:
- EJN’s Jazz Panorama Project: This project includes a Ukrainian online jazz guide published on the EJN website, providing a comprehensive overview of Ukraine’s jazz scene to international audiences.
- Series of Articles: UI is preparing a series of articles focusing on Ukraine’s jazz scene, offering insight into its history and evolution from the Soviet era to the present.
- Decolonial Studies: UI is gathering materials for translation and making them available to international audiences, fostering a deeper understanding of Ukraine’s cultural identity.
- Analytical Department: UI has established an analytical department to conduct studies on how Ukraine is presented abroad, allowing for informed decisions regarding cultural diplomacy.
4. Acting as a Medium Between Ukrainian Artists and the International Community:
UI plays a pivotal role in connecting Ukrainian artists and institutions with the global community:
- Gathering Inputs: UI collects insights from Ukrainian music industry representatives and shares them with the international community, facilitating meaningful dialogues and collaborations.
- Building Partnerships: UI seeks to establish new partnerships with international institutions, spanning festivals, music venues, agencies, labels, media, and more. These partnerships foster cultural exchange and cooperation.
5. Creating a Platform for Ukrainian Culture Internationally:
UI works to create a platform for Ukrainian culture globally, exemplified by several programs:
- Stockholm International Women’s Jazz Festival: UI has organized a unique program featuring only Ukrainian participants, coupled with a concert tour across five cities.
- Special Edition in Jazz forum Magazine: UI has published a special edition in Jazz Forum magazine, shedding light on Ukraine’s vibrant jazz scene, from its historical roots to contemporary developments.
6. Capacity Building for Ukrainian Music Industry Representatives:
UI strives to enhance the capacities of Ukrainian music industry representatives:
- Participation in Key Events: UI facilitates the participation of Ukrainian delegates in essential events, including the Europe Jazz Network (EJN) conference, Budapest Ritmo, Jazzinstitute Darmstadt, Gothenburg conferences, and collaborations with international summer schools.
- Artists at Risk: UI collaborates with the Artists at Risk initiative, offering support and opportunities for artists facing challenging circumstances.
- Artists at Risk: UI collaborates with the Artists at Risk initiative, offering support and opportunities for artists facing challenging circumstances.
In times of adversity, UI’s commitment to cultural diplomacy remains unwavering, leveraging the power of music and art to foster understanding, resilience, and unity on the international stage. Ukraine’s cultural heritage and contributions continue to shine brightly, even in the face of hardship.
By Mariana Bondarenko
