On March 28, Strasbourg hosted a remarkable event - the "Les Enfance Volée" concert, featuring the Ukrainian Youth Symphony Orchestra and the incomparable children's choirs "Vohonik" and "Dzvinochok", which became the embodiment of skill, hope and unity.
This event is not just a musical concert, it is a hymn to life, dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe. The musical pieces that were performed are a reminder to us of the importance of adhering to the fundamental principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. During the opening of the concert, speeches were delivered: Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein to the Council of Europe - Domenic Wanger, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe - Borys Tarasiuk and Deputy Mayor of Strasbourg - Veronique Bertol.
The Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the Council of Europe expresses its sincere gratitude to the outstanding conductor, incredibly talented Oksana Lyniv. Her work is a true work of art that inspires deep admiration, respect and faith in the future victory of Ukraine. Her strength and energy are an inspiration for young musicians and performers.
Special words of gratitude go to the Support Action Ukraine Association and its President Kateryna Pushkar. Thanks to her tireless work and the support of our partners, such a large-scale project was organized to support Ukraine and tell the world the real story of the war against the Russian aggressor through the power of music and Ukrainian talent.
The Ukrainian Youth Symphony Orchestra, consisting of 110 talented musicians who were forced to leave their homeland due to the war, continues to impress the world with their skills and promote Ukrainian culture. They are living proof of the invincible spirit of Ukraine. We also note the incredible talent of Dmytro Udovychenko, a young violinist from Kharkiv, winner of many international competitions, who once again confirmed that the future of Ukrainian music will develop and glorify Ukraine.
The heart of the concert was a collection of poetry called Dad's Book. The poems performed by the choir were a cry of pain and hope. They belong to the Ukrainian author Volodymyr Vakulenko, who was tortured and killed in 2022 in the city of Izium. We remember and honor every victim, and we bring this truth to the world.
This evening was a real celebration of spirit, talent and unwavering faith in the Victory. We are proud to be a part of this story and thank everyone who took part in this evening. Together we are stronger, together we will win!