Exeter Cathedral concert will raise funds for the people of Ukraine

Published: 10 January 2023

A fundraising evening of songs and prayers for the people of Ukraine is taking place at Exeter Cathedral.

The Cathedral will welcome back Ukraine’s Word and Voice Theatre Centre for a special concert on Wednesday 18 January, at 7.30pm.

The concert, in association with the Devon Ukrainian Association and Maketank, with the support of Exeter City Council, is part of the Winter Celebrations which continue until the end of January.

It will serve as a thank you to Devon hosts for opening their homes to Ukrainian people, and will conclude with a reception of Ukrainian traditional breads, desserts and mulled wine.

Olya Petrakova, of the Devon Ukrainian Association, said: “This event will be an opportunity for hosts to connect with each other and to continue meeting in the future.

“It is presented on behalf of the many Devon sponsors and their families of displaced Ukrainians. The Devon Ukrainian Association and Word and Voice would like to thank these sponsors especially and all tickets are free for them and their families. Sponsors and Ukrainian guests can book tickets for free.”

As the Russian state continues to target Ukraine’s infrastructure, the Devon Ukrainian Association and Word and Voice are using this tour to raise funds for the Keep the Heat On campaign.

Lviv’s Word and Voice Theatre were last in Devon in August with their transcendent Irmos for Ukraine.

Since then they have continued to preserve and revitalise Ukraine’s cultural heritage while remaining an essential space for internally displaced Ukrainians as well as fundraising and providing necessary supplies for the people of Ukraine.

With the support of English patrons, Word and Voice have over the last four months created two new performances in Lviv in which displaced persons, widows, mothers of fallen soldiers have directly participated – Under the Pear, Singing the Marathon of Peace and For Their Own.

Tickets cost £10 plus a £1.55 booking fee and can be booked online. The event is free for Ukrainian guests and UK sponsors, who can book free tickets online.