After the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, many artists initially fell silent. However, most of them emerged from their state of shock and have since been committed to ensuring that independent Ukrainian culture is recognised worldwide and also emerges as a political force. This includes mezzo-soprano Lena Belkina, whose current album "Passion for Ukraine" takes up the cudgels for the musical tradition and present of her home country, for which she was nominated for the OPUS Klassik. Together with pianist Olena Zhukova, she will perform a contemporary repertoire of songs by living Ukrainian composers in the Ehrbarsaal. This includes Ilia Razumeiko's haunting "Requiem for Mariupol". What role can and must music play in order to become politically recognisable? The concert will be accompanied by a panel discussion in cooperation with the "Documenting Ukraine" project of the Institute for Human Sciences. Leah Batstone, artistic director of the Ukrainian Contemporary Music Festival, has been invited to take part.

Followed by a panel discussion "Classical Music and Politics: The Role of Russian Imperialism" | In co-operation with the project "Documenting Ukraine" of the Institute for Human Sciences.

MODERATION Helmut Jasbar