Ukraine’s live sector starts helping war-torn civilians

People working across Ukraine’s venues, festivals and promoters are reportedly helping refugees, providing meals for troops and assisting in the war against misinformation. 

Faine Misto, a festival which traditionally takes place in August, is gathering funds for the country’s Ministry of Defence. Its website also points visitors to contacts for shelters, medical care and other essential services.

Veronika Grass told IQ organisers are also taking part in the “information war”.

“There’s a lot of fake news about the real situation in Ukraine, so we find false information, send reports and make sure that the world knows the truth,” she said.

Organisers are also reaching out to foreign bands who have previously performed at the festival, asking them to share information and links to official funds.

Another festival, Respublica – a free international art and music event – is also turning its attention to arming the country’s military against the Russian invasion.

A spokesperson told IQ the organisation is trying to create any support to help fighters, migrants and refugees.

“We weave nets for the territorial defence of the city and look for ammunition for our guys in the armed forces and TRO, provide humanitarian aid and Molotov cocktails,” they said.

The organisation is also one of many attempting to help locals who have been displaced by the war.

The UN estimates that over one million civilians have fled the country completely, while a further 160,000 are displaced internally.

Kyiv Contemporary Music Days, an NGO educational and concert platform for classical contemporary music, has asked its network if they will host those in need. A spokesperson said artists in Austria, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Turkey and Italy had said yes.

The Les Kurbas Theatre has been transformed into a refugee centre with camp beds and a bomb shelter.

Arena Lviv, normally a 34,000-capacity stadium, has also opened a coordination centre to help migrants and refugees.

The venue also reportedly has its catering team cooking for the country’s troops . It has reportedly delivered more than 5,000 dinners to the frontline in five days.

Olga Manko, head of Arena Lviv, said the venue will continue to help the country’s citizens as they believe in “victory for our country”.

“The entire staff and management of Arena Lviv is working tirelessly, doing everything possible and impossible to provide the highest degree of comfort to all resettlers and refugees, and as a result become volunteers themselves.”

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.