Musical Bridges for Peace and Solidarity - call for participation
Switzerland, July 6 to July 13, 2026
Call for participation and selection of participants
The Ukraine Culture Network organizes an international music project in Switzerland from Monday, July 6 to Monday, July 13, 2026. Young singers and string players from Ukraine, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland are eligible for participation.
If you are a young singer or string player and a national from Ukraine, Finland, Sweden or Switzerland, you may apply for participation. Please use this form for your application.
The deadline for application is May 30, 2026.
The selection of participants will be based on the information, demo material and recommendation(s) you include in your application file.
Project description
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.
Financial questions
Travel to Switzerland (railway station 'Grenchen Süd') has to be organized and funded by the participants themselves.
Within Switzerland, accommodation, meals and transport are covered by the Ukraine Culture Network.
Participants have to have health and accident insurance.
Participants are responsible for insurance of their instrument.
Accommodation and base of operation
MMTS-Berufsbildungszentrum, Grenchen, Switzerland
https://www.mmts.ch/de/berufsbildungszentrum/
All activities including accommodation, meals and rehearsals will take place at MMTS.
MMTS is situated near railway station Grenchen Süd, which can be reached by train from Zurich Airport in around 1 hour 30 minutes and from Geneva Airport in around 2 hours.
The city of Grenchen is famous for its watch industry (Swatch, Omega etc.)
Schedule
(tentative dates, changes are possible)
Monday, July 6: arrival of participants in Grenchen, Switzerland (railway station 'Grenchen Süd')
Tuesday, July 7: rehearsal day
Wednesday, July 8: rehearsal day
Thursday, July 9: rehearsal day including the general rehearsal concert at 18 hours in Grenchen, open to the audience
Friday, July 10: concert in Lausanne, time and location TBC
Saturday, July 11, 17 hours: 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
Monday, July 13: Departure
The expected audience at all concerts are around 400 persons.
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 20’
Almashi: Maria’s city 13’
Program for choir a capella
Rautavaara: Och glädjen den dansar 3’
Komulainen: Vaan kautta aikojen 3’
Trad. Norway: Ned I vester 2’20
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."
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
