In six months, we successfully evacuated 142 young musicians and their families, providing them with accommodation, general education and musical activities that supported the process of integrating Ukrainian young musicians into the various musical activities, rehearsals and concert programmes of the Slovenian Youth Orchestra. Ukrainian and Slovenian young musicians had the opportunity to travel, gain experience and perform not only in Slovenia, but also in Croatia, Germany and Austria; together they prepared and performed more than 32 concerts.
After a few months in Slovenia, some of the Ukrainian youth musicians moved to other European countries, and some returned to Ukraine. Today, most of the rest are involved in Slovenian communities, enrolled in primary and secondary music schools, including the Academy of Music in Ljubljana and the Conservatory of Music in Maribor. They attend English and Slovenian language classes, many of them are preparing to continue their general education, while also engaging in musical activities.
To this day, the Slovenian Youth Orchestra continues to provide opportunities for young Ukrainian musicians to participate in the orchestra's activities, to play alongside their Slovenian peers and friends, and to play occasional concerts.
