Concert by young musicians from Ukraine for a better future for all

One bag, a phone and their most precious possession – an instrument that holds their whole life and dreams. With these belongings, young musical talents set out from Ukraine and found safe refuge in Slovenia. The experiences children go through while fleeing can dehumanise many, which is why the children (the youngest of them is 7 years old) and young people from Ukraine seek support and strength in music and continue with their mission. In this way they wish to develop their talents, overcome the trauma of war and help build a better future for themselves and for others.

Thus, on 11 May, musical talents from Ukraine, together with young musicians from Slovenia, will perform under the auspices of of the Slovenian Youth Orchestra and united in an orchestra Music for the Future at Cankarjev dom. Before, during and after the event, donations will be collected in cooperation with UNICEF Slovenia to help the participating musicians and their families from Ukraine, and for UNICEF's aid programmes for children and families from Ukraine.

“Art is perspective, in its essence a radiant light, full of the values and principles of humanity. Young people with a calling and the chosen life path of an artist, a professional musician, feel enormous pressure and despair at this moment, because they do not know how they will manage without it, nor when, or whether, they will feel its unifying power again. Fleeing the war, they travel with whatever they were able to take with them at the moment they decided to leave their homes. Their instrument holds their whole life and their sense of being alive,” said Živa Ploj Peršuh, conductor and artistic director of the Slovenian Youth Orchestra.

The concert event in prospect at Cankarjev dom is a demonstration and proof of the desire of children and young people from Ukraine to integrate into their new environment. Through music, interpersonal bonds and solidarity are strengthened, showing that it is possible to create together and understand one another. For the children and young people on stage, the support of the soloist Gidon Kremer, the 75-year-old violinist and Grammy Award winner who belongs to the very top of the world of art music, will also be invaluable. The support of the audience means to each of them that they are being watched, listened to and heard not only as young artists, but as people.

“No child should have to experience war. The traumas experienced by children in crisis zones can mark them for ever. It is the duty of all of us to help them: first with emergency aid on the ground and, in the long term, with the opportunity to get back on their feet and build a better life. These children had to leave behind everything they knew overnight. The project Music for the Future enables them to participate and empowers them – it gives them the strength to actively shape their own future, continue with their mission and use their talents to help both themselves and others towards a better future,” said Tomaž Bergoč, Executive Director of UNICEF Slovenia.

UNICEF has been helping children and families from Ukraine throughout, where UNICEF staff on the ground report that in decades of humanitarian work they have rarely seen so much destruction in such a short time. Desperate families are being forced into the unimaginable to provide food, water, healthcare and safety for their children.

“Sadly, we no longer hope that this nightmare will end in the coming days, so I feel that we must take care of these young people. We are working to help them, with our knowledge and experience, to remain upright, strong and steadfast. We must do absolutely everything in our power to help them keep their hope, the sparkle in their eyes, their dreams and their light-heartedness. These are young people; we must give them a perspective and a future. Even if they no longer have a home at this moment, they have a life, and it must go on, even if in a different place,” added Živa Ploj Peršuh.

“Thanks to the unwavering will of the young musicians from Ukraine to live and create, and with the support of lovers of first-class classical music and donors from Slovenia, many a family from Ukraine will – we very much hope – also remember the painful days they are living through for the solidarity they were shown,” added Tomaž Bergoč.