A Moving Concert by German and Ukrainian Musicians

Help Through Culture

Dude had organized the trip on his own. He had visited Lviv as a tourist in 2009 and was captivated by the city. “Two years later, I traveled to Ukraine again: from Lviv through Kyiv to the Crimea. That trip had a lasting impact on me (...) This country has captured my heart.” He was particularly impressed by the warmth of the people. Since he was unable to participate in aid convoys himself after the start of Russia’s war of aggression due to his orchestral duties in Saxony, he decided to provide “help in the form of culture.” “I wanted to return to Ukraine.”

Orchestras are forced to improvise because of the war

Dude hopes that the connection with his colleagues in Ukraine will remain strong. Orchestras in Ukraine are forced to improvise due to the war. Even at Saturday’s solidarity concert, the program had to be changed at the last minute. Due to the security situation, the Lviv National Philharmonic cannot plan with soloists or always obtain sheet music. Musicians are missing because they are serving on the front lines.

Nevertheless, they are trying to keep a regular concert schedule going. “They plan one or two months in advance, but then have to make last-minute decisions.”

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