The priority task of art institutions during the war is, unequivocally, the promotion of Ukrainian culture in the world. Therefore, the Myroslav Skoryk Lviv National Philharmonic continues to create a new historical page in the institution’s international partnership — with the support of the Lviv Regional Military Administration.

Over the past year and a half, a number of significant events with the participation of the Lviv National Philharmonic ensembles took place in the world: 40 concerts of the Lviv National Symphony Orchestra on tour in the United States, Sweden, and regular performances of the INSO-Lviv Symphony Orchestra in the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Poland, permanent tours chamber orchestra “Virtuosos of Lviv” – in particular, in Sweden where the collective will play soon.

Volodymyr Syvokhip and Iryna Shum

Our country, which is fighting for its independence paying such a price, at the same time presents itself among the society of Europe: and it is the culture that is its face, brand, and platform for understanding. After all, relations with European partners have always remained strong throughout the many years of activity of the Philharmonic. Therefore, forming a new cooperation, Director Volodymyr Syvokhip at the Consulate General of Ukraine in Dusseldorf (Germany) met with Consul General Iryna Shum. During the conversation, he presented the Philharmonic’s path to the realization of a large-scale presentation of Ukraine and shared upcoming tour plans. A two-week tour in Germany in November has been announced, consisting of twelve concerts with various programs. The dominant component will be Ukrainian symphonic classics: in particular, the focus of attention of the organizers of “Grazhyna” is Borys Liatoshynskyi.

Volodymyr Sivohip emphasized: “For the first time in Europe, the Piano Concerto of the famous Ukrainian, Lviv composer Vasyl Barvinskyi will be presented. He already is our classic, but his work is not yet popular in Europe. And thanks to this tour, thanks to the participation of the famous Ukrainian pianist Violina Petrychenko, who is also a soloist of the Lviv National Philharmonic, we will present this concert in Berlin, Leipzig, Ravensburg, and other cities.”

Consul Iryna Shum noted that the result of this conversation was a confirmation of mutual cultural diplomacy: with the assistance of the Consulate General, a performance of the Lviv National Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra and soloist Violina Petrychenko will be held in the famous Cologne Philharmonic in the spring of 2024.

Violina Petrychenko and Iryna Shum

Another topic of communication was the presentation of a new music festival by the famous Ukrainian pianist, soloist of the Lviv Philharmonic Violina Petrychenko. It is called “Sounds of Ukraine” and is the first festival of Ukrainian classical and contemporary music in Germany: its uniqueness in the demonstration of various components of Ukrainian music — from a journey through the chamber repertoire of the 19th century to the present day, to an introduction to the most outstanding Ukrainian composers, such as Lysenko, Kosenko, Barvinskyi, Skoryk, Sylvestrov.

According to Violina Petrychenko, “All performances of the Festival will be held for a charitable purpose. The funds will go to the needs of people who suffered from the war and were left without homes. My dream is to demonstrate different eras, styles and moods, involving different musicians who are united in their desire to reveal the richness of Ukrainian music to Europe.

This year, the “Sounds of Ukraine” festival will consist of five concerts, each of which will have its own theme. Soloists of the Lviv National Philharmonic – Liliia Nikitchuk (mezzo-soprano) and Maksym Rymar (cello) play an important role in it.

Today, Ukrainians face the important task of introducing the best art examples and promoting them in the international environment. This was evidenced by an event in support of Ukraine — during the cultural and diplomatic trip, the musicians honored the memory of those who died in the war during an action near the Cologne Cathedral.