#Stand with Ukraine: Opera Europa

The Association of Opera Theaters and Companies “Opera Europa”, which has 220 members, including and the Lviv National Opera, expressed support for Ukrainian theaters.

The appeal of the association, which also covers the proposals of our theater, published on the website: https://opera-europa.org/news/slava-ukraini?fbclid=IwAR0hSLMBTEp5O8lQ_jeh9-7oJ8B88vZEnCHhJdfwPgsJYSwXUm77os393YY

SLAVA UKRAINI

The Board of Opera Europa, on behalf of its 220 member companies, offers unequivocal support to its members in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv and Odesa, and all the people of Ukraine as they suffer from the hostile invasion of Russian troops.

We want to express our admiration for the extraordinary courage and resilience in the face of adversity being shown by the inhabitants of Ukraine.  We offer solidarity with Ukraine in its existential battle for the precious values of freedom and democracy, but we recognise that solidarity alone is not enough.

We shall encourage and give visibility to actions already being initiated by our members to help keep alive the independent spirit of Ukraine: the performance of its music and its national hymn; financial, moral, charitable and humanitarian support for its artists and activists; collaboration and partnerships with its devastated theatres.

We believe that there are many artists and institutions within Russia, who are experiencing profound concern, disapproval and shame at what is happening, but dare not speak out for fear of savage retaliation.  We ask them to conquer that fear and do whatever is in their power to influence public opinion against the war, so that Ukraine may be spared further attacks.

We endorse the words published by Ukrainian artists and cultural activists: ‘Art has always remained at the forefront of humanitarian values.  We strongly believe that art cannot be subservient to political propaganda; instead it should be utilised for developing critical thinking and promoting dialogue’.

Glory to Ukraine – Slava Ukraini!

HOW CAN WE SHOW OUR SUPPORT?

Here are a few suggestions from Lviv National Opera, which we believe are most practical at this time:
■ Make a video on your or behalf of your organisation and share it on social media and on your own channels. Lviv National Opera will post your video on their website and YouTube channel. For video submission and coordination, here are contacts at Lviv National Opera: lvivopera.press@gmail.com; ostap07@gmail.com
■ Lviv National Opera created a music library Stand with Ukraine on the official website https://
opera.lviv.ua/standwithukraine
with the scores of Ukrainian composers. There you can find notes available for free which we offer to perform at the concerts in support of the Ukrainian people.
■ You can also perform the National Anthem of Ukraine before a concert or opera, as the Metropolitan Opera and the Royal Danish Theatre have already done.
■ Donate to one of many humanitarian agencies and charities.