The Berliner Philharmoniker become patrons of Ukrainian orchestras

The Berliner Philharmoniker will become patrons of the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine with immediate effect. Both orchestras have already performed at the Philharmonie Berlin in 2022 at the invitation of the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, and regular contact has developed from this, combined with the wish for closer collaboration.

Within the framework of this patronship, the Berliner Philharmoniker would like to support the orchestras in the organisation of performance opportunities and in the procurement of instruments. A collaboration in the field of education is also planned.

Eva-Maria Tomasi of the orchestra board of the Berliner Philharmoniker: “After our colleagues from the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra contacted us, we decided to take on patronship of the orchestra. We would like to express our solidarity with the musicians in Ukraine who are trying to maintain musical life in Ukraine under terrible circumstances. The Kyiv Symphony Orchestra also acts as an important ambassador for its country by giving concerts outside Ukraine. We want to support the musicians in this as much as possible”.

Andrea Zietzschmann, general manager of the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation: “With these two patronships, we would like to play a small part in ensuring that the two Ukrainian orchestras can continue to work artistically at all and, especially now, remain visible. For us, the patronship of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine is a logical continuation of our long-standing commitment to the National Youth Orchestra of Germany, which has been working closely with this orchestra since 2017, well before the Russian invasion of Ukraine began.”

Alexandra Zaitseva, director of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and manager of the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra: “We would like to thank the Berliner Philharmoniker sincerely for their patronship. It is very important for us both symbolically, as a strong sign of support for our home country, and practically. It offers us the prospect of a close exchange. Together with the founder and chief conductor of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Oksana Lyniv, with all colleagues of the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and the chief conductor Luigi Gaggero, we are committed to the European integration of Ukrainian culture, the support of the young generation of Ukrainian artists and the further development of this unbroken musical tradition, especially in today's challenging times.”

For more information on both orchestras, visit their websites
Kyiv Symphony Orchestra
Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine