One of the most vital elements in supporting Ukraine’s right to exist is ensuring the preservation and vitality of its cultural heritage during these challenging times.
The European Festival: Ukrainian Spring 2024, organised by EUNIC Sweden and held in Stockholm, exemplified this mission by capturing the genuine interest of the Swedish public and the international partners of the Ukrainian Institute in Sweden.
From 24 April to 7 May, 12 events were held across Stockholm, all with Ukraine as their central theme. Each day of the festival was dedicated to Ukrainian artists who had tragically lost their lives in the war while serving as soldiers: among them were a conductor, a dancer, a violinist, an actor, a poet and many others.
The festival offered a compelling exploration of Ukrainian culture, reimagining classical and traditional works through innovative artistic interpretations.
A Ukrainian-Swedish pianist breathed new life into Bach’s preludes and fugues, drawing inspiration from the insights of a Ukrainian musicologist. Meanwhile, the fiery energy of Lesya Ukrainka’s poetry transcended the written word, finding vivid expression through the dynamic medium of dance and movement.
Adding to the festival’s rich tapestry, a rare recording from the historic Ukrainian village of Gammalsvenskby - a community of Swedes who settled there in the 1700s - was revived, offering a glimpse into its unique heritage. Contemporary creativity shone as an Austrian jazz quartet reinterpreted a Ukrainian lullaby, weaving an intricate blend of tradition and improvisation.
The programme culminated in a powerful transformation of Taras Shevchenko’s poetry, set to music by a celebrated Ukrainian composer, performed by acclaimed soloists from Latvia and Sweden and accompanied by one of Europe’s leading orchestras.
While the first edition of the festival focused on affirming Ukraine’s existence and distinct voice under the motto "See me, hear me, let me show you who I am!”, this second edition carried a different message, with a new slogan: “Reflections in each other’s eyes”. The entire programme emphasised the exchange and interaction between Ukrainian culture and that of other European countries.
The Kremerata Baltika Orchestra, led by renowned violinist Gidon Kremer, has added Ukrainian composer Bohdana Frolyak’s My Evening Star into its celebrated repertoire. Soloists from the Polish National Opera have showcased the works of Ukrainian composers. The Austrian Benjamin Schmid Jazz Quartet offers a fascinating perspective on cultural interplay, highlighting how Gershwin’s iconic jazz composition, Summertime, drew inspiration from a Ukrainian lullaby: their performances incorporate Ukrainian folk melodies into their jazz arrangements, creating a dynamic blend of styles.
The Italian Ensemble L'Arte dell'Arco has performed pieces by Ukrainian Baroque composer Maksym Berezovsky, showing how naturally his music integrates with other European works from the same period. In a stunning marriage of music, dance and poetry, Clairmarie Osta, étoile ballerina of the Paris Opera, has choreographed a performance inspired by the French poet Alicia Gallienne blending it with a new production that draws on the poetry of Lesya Ukrainka: a seamless fusion of French and Ukrainian artistic traditions.
The concert at Konserthuset Stockholm was truly a special evening, where so many souls united together in thoughts and prayers for peace through the music of Ukrainian and Baltic composers.
Kremerata Baltica about the Grand Final
Through various high-profile events in prestigious venues in Stockholm and Uppsala, the festival effectively showcased Ukraine as an integral part of European cultural heritage, facilitating meaningful cultural exchange and understanding which will have ripple-effects in the public dialogues taking place as the future of Europe is being shaped.
The festival is expected to return for a new edition in 2025.
