In the fourth year of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the United Islands festival will once again join a public expression of solidarity. On Tuesday, February 24 at 5:00 PM, a ninety-minute concert titled Noise for Ukraine will take place in front of the Russian Embassy on Ukrajinských hrdinů Street. The event will be followed in the evening by a public debate at Divadlo Komedie.
This musical manifesto against war will bring together the band Zrní, actor and singer Šimon Bilina, singer and actress Jitka Čvančarová, poet and rapper Cermaque, singer-songwriter Kvietah, and other artists. The organizers from the United Islands festival are calling on everyone who is not indifferent to Russian aggression to attend.
“Noise for Ukraine is a clear signal that we strongly oppose Russian aggression and that Ukraine is not alone,” says Jura Pátek, one of the initiators of the manifesto.
Through this concert, United Islands emphasizes that solidarity is not a one-time gesture, but a lasting stance. “Music becomes a language of both resistance and support. The war in Ukraine is not a distant conflict, it affects all of Europe and its values,” adds Martin Štěrba, Executive Director of the United Islands festival.
Non-profit organizations Generation for Ukraine, Vítej v Česku, and Koridor UA—each of which has long supported people affected by the war—will also take part in the manifesto.
After the concert, a public debate titled “How War Changes National and Cultural Identity” will be held in the foyer of Divadlo Komedie. The debate is organized in cooperation with Městská divadla pražská as part of the “Month of Ukraine.”
“The most important thing is not the sound from the stage. The most important thing is the voice of people who are willing to publicly express their stance at a time when absolute injustice is taking place,” says Ondřej Chrást, former coordinator of cultural aid for Ukraine and organizer of numerous solidarity events.
The Noise for Ukraine concert and the subsequent debate at Divadlo Komedie are part of a broader wave of civic and cultural activities taking place on February 24 across the Czech Republic and Europe. The special event is convened by the United Islands festival in cooperation with the Embassies of Finland, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Latvia, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Austria, Italy, Poland, Greece, and the Flemish Representation.
