Concert for Ukraine: Together We Stand

Price: £varied

The programme showcases commissioned music by acclaimed composer Mariia Yaremak, brought to life by the Voices for Life choir and The Argyle String Orchestra (with Mariia Yaremak on piano), alongside a performance by vocalist Nicole Medin and live visual art by Alexandra Dikaia.

Bath, UK (9 January 2025) – The Friends of Oleksandriya present a concert at Bath Abbey to mark the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and raise funds for the Ukrainian city of Oleksandriya. The concert is dedicated to the memory of Adam, Sonia, and Tatiana, relatives of Zhenya Shkil (founder and trustee of The Friends of Oleksandriya), who were tragically killed in a Russian airstrike in Ukraine on 7 November 2024.

The programme includes original compositions by Ukrainian composer Mariia Yaremak, performed by outstanding local musicians. The children’s choir Voices for Life will open the concert with songs in Ukrainian, followed by The Argyle String Orchestra accompanying Mariia Yaremak on piano. Ukrainian vocalist Nicole Medin will also take part in the performance.

During the concert, Ukrainian illustrator, writer, and concept artist Alexandra Dikaia will create a unique painting live on stage. This artwork will be auctioned after the event to raise further funds for Oleksandriya. The audience will hear extracts from refugee literature, offering insights into the experiences and difficulties of the Ukrainian people who sought safety abroad.

All profits from the event will be used to provide aid to the city of Oleksandriya, such as the funding of much-needed medical supplies. The Rotary Club of Bath is collecting funds on behalf of Friends of Oleksandriya, ensuring that all donations are used to purchase humanitarian aid for the city.

All seating is unreserved within each section of the Abbey. The concert is expected to conclude by 21:00, including an interval. Please note that this concert will be recorded. Tickets are available for purchase through Bath Box Office.

Ticket prices:

● Nave: £40

● North/South Aisle: £30

● Wall Seats: £20

● Corporation Stalls: £15

Founder and trustee of The Friends of Oleksandriya Zhenya Shkil says: “This is our third concert that always takes place on the day when normal life stopped for all of us – on the day when Putin’s army invaded my homeland. Every year, it creates an opportunity for Ukrainian refugees and Ukraine supporters in our area to gather in a holy and safe space of Bath Abbey to enjoy the beauty of Ukrainian culture and to mourn killed friends and family who were untimely taken away from us by this war. This year, I dedicate this concert to my family who were killed in Zaporizhzhia on 7th November 2024 with a glide bomb that destroyed their block and took their lives – this concert is dedicated to 1y 4m old Adam, his 27yo mum Sonya and her 68yo grandmother Tanya. God bless their souls!”

The event promises a meaningful evening of cultural immersion and community spirit, uniting performers and audience alike in support of Ukraine.