Musical Bridges for Peace and Solidarity - concert tour in Switzerland from July 9 to 12, 2026
The Ukraine Culture Network organizes an international music project in Switzerland in July 2026. Young singers and string players from Ukraine, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland will participate.
Concert Schedule (tentative, please check later for final schedule)
Thursday, July 9, 18 hours: concert in Grenchen
Friday, July 10: concert in TBC, time and location TBC
Saturday, July 11, late afternoon: open-air concert in Bern, at the “Museum-Garten” of Museumsquartier Bern (bad weather alternative: Yehudi Menuhin Forum Bern)
Sunday, July 12: concert in Lucerne at Jesuitenkirche, time TBC
Program: ‘Music from Nordic countries’
The program will be a balanced mix of instrumental and vocal music (with adaptations remaining possible).
Program for string orchestra
Grieg: Holberg-suite
Almashi: Maria’s city
Program for choir a capella
Rautavaara: Och glädjen den dansar
Komulainen: Vaan kautta aikojen
Trad. Norway: Ned I vester
3 Ukrainian songs
Finale: choir and orchestra combined
Peteris Vasks: Da pacem
Peteris Vasks is one of the most famous Latvian composers. He stated: "music is the greatest of all muses, as it reaches the divine with most ease."
Project idea
The best way to live values of respect and tolerance is to play and sing together. The project will allow participants to perform music and meet in an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding. Music carries a message of peace, so much needed in times when war has returned to Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere. Participants are expected to form lasting friendships and networks through the project.
Organizing team
Overall organization by the Ukraine Culture Network (nonprofit association with legal seat in Bern, Switzerland)
Artistic and logistic staff
- Artistic leadership and main project responsibility: Werner Schmitt, cellist, President of Ukraine Culture Network, former Director of the Berne Conservatory and expert in international exchange programs, Berne
- principle conductor of orchestra and choir: Jutta Seppinen, Helsinki
- artistic leader of the Wegelius Strings, Finland: Annemarie Åström, violinist
- Professional coaches and logistics assistants
Partner organizations
- DUNK – De Ungas Musikförbund i Svenskfinland – Finland
- Foundation of the Martin Wegelius-institut – Finland
- European String Teachers Association from countries involved
- Yehudi Menuhin Forum Bern Foundation
- KLANGFORUM SCHWEIZ
- Yehudi Menuhin Stiftung Grenchen
Patronage
H.E. Iryna Venediktova, Ambassador of Ukraine in Switzerland
H.E. Okko-Pekka Salmimies, Ambassador of Finland in Switzerland
H.E. Carl Magnus Nesser, Ambassador of Sweden in Switzerland
