'Ray Of Light': Ukrainian Musicians Perform In A Kharkiv Metro Station Shelter

The performance marked the beginning of the Kharkiv Music Festival, one of the biggest international music festivals

Musicians at Kharkiv metro station (Image Source: Twitter video)

New Delhi: Ukranian musicians performed at a metro station which is currently being used as a makeshift shelter in the city of Kharkiv. The city has been the target of intense bombardment for weeks which has forced people to use bunkers and metro stations as shelter.

This marked the beginning of the Kharkiv Music Festival, Maria Avdeeva Research Director at the European Expert Association tweeted about the concert in a tweet she wrote, "Kharkiv Music Fest - one of the best international classical music festivals in Ukraine was scheduled to start on March 26. No one could have imagined that instead there would be a concert in the subway. But here we are on the day 31 of the war."

Kharkiv Music Fest - one of the best international classical music festivals in Ukraine was scheduled to start on March 26. No one could have imagined that instead there would be a concert in the subway. But here we are on the day 31 of the war. pic.twitter.com/1uyzHhGeId

— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) March 26, 2022

A woman told AFP, that the events these 'are ray of light and helps trust in positivity and to be sure that everything will end soon'. Meanwhile, one of the musicians, a cello player, Denys Karachevtsev told the news agency that he wondered he could be of help to his people, his country and his native city, Kharkiv which he loves. 

The people including children had gathered around the musicians three violinists, a cellist, and a bass player delighted an audience as they played soft classical music.

Earlier this week, a video of cellist, Denys Karachevtsev went viral in which was playing Bach's Cello Suite No.5 C minor at the backdrop of empty buildings that were destroyed by bombs.

Denys Karachevtsev plays the Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite No. 5 C minor, among the ruins of his Ukrainian hometown of Kharkiv. pic.twitter.com/XOLKsKH3cz

— 🌳PINK Warrior🌳 (@AntifaWearsPink) March 23, 2022

He continues to post such videos, “It was just an idea, to be useful to my people, my country, and my hometown. I love this city, its residents. Anything I can do to help, I will do it,” he told AFP.

“People tell me my videos bring a little normality back to their lives. It’s important at this moment… We aren’t scared, we are strong, and everyone can help in their own way,” he added.

Many other musicians have shared clips of them performing in front of ruins, to feel a sense of normality and share the same feeling.