Slovakia’s biggest festival Pohoda has announced details of its next Concert for Ukraine.

The event has been staged annually since the war began in 2022, with Pohoda organiser Michal Kaščák confirming its latest edition as a symbolic gesture on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

The concert will take place on Sunday 16 March at the Main Square in Bratislava, with confirmed performances by Para, Slobodná Európa, RozpoR, Ukrainian singer Mila Medvedovska with Katka Koščová and pianist Daniel Špiner, as well as Peter Lipa and the Lúčnica Choir.

“One of the roles of art is to respond to social events”

“One of the roles of art is to respond to social events,” says Kaščák. “It is important for the artistic community to stand for the values of humanism and to express support for Ukraine’s heroic fight for both its own and our freedom. It is essential to show that Slovakia is home to people with their hearts in the right place.

“We believe that the majority of people in Slovakia support our neighbours’ struggle for freedom and humanist values. The Concert for Ukraine is an artistic response to the unprecedented violence of the Russian regime; it is an expression of solidarity and unity with the invaded country and those affected by the conflict. We greatly appreciate the participation of every artist and hope to see many people gather at the square.”

The Concert for Ukraine will begin at 7pm, and entry is free for the public. For those unable to attend the event, a livestream will be broadcast on Pohoda’s Facebook page. The full programme and further details will be announced shortly.

Pohoda Festival 2025 is scheduled to return from 10-12 July, with acts including Massive Attack, Queens of the Stone Age and Iggy Pop.

Music Export Ukraine’s Alona Dmukhovska recently discussed the triumphs and tribulations of Ukraine’s industry in an interview with IQ.

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Last night’s (29 March) Concert For Ukraine fundraiser in Birmingham raised £12.2 million for the humanitarian relief effort in the country.

Stars including Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello and Emeli Sande took to the stage at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena for the televised event.

Anne Marie, Snow Patrol, Manic Street Preachers, Nile Rodgers and Chic and Gregory Porter also performed and, elsewhere, Ukrainian singer Jamala delivered a rendition of her Eurovision-winning track, 1944.

The two-hour show, held to raise money for the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, was expected to raise over £3m.

However, according to ITV, which broadcast the show, over £12m has been raised so far, with the number expected to increase.

As well as millions of pounds of public donations, the broadcasters donated an estimated £3m of advertising revenue

As well as millions of pounds of public donations, the broadcasters donated an estimated £3m of advertising revenue. Another £250,000 was generated by ticket sales.

Alongside ITV, Concert for Ukraine was organised by STV, Livewire Pictures, DEC and media and entertainment group Global.

Elsewhere, a spate of benefit concerts held in Europe over the past week together raised around €20 million for related causes. Sound of Peace, a televised live concert that took place on 20 March in Berlin and raised more than €12m, according to the organisers.

Together with Ukraine, a televised live concert held at the Atlas Arena (cap. 13,000) in Łódź, Poland, organised by promoter Follow the Step, reportedly raised more than €6m.

A pair of events spearheaded by Dutch promoter Alda also raised upwards of €1m for the Romanian Red Cross. We Are One took place at the National Arena in Bucharest, Romania, while Dance For Ukraine was staged at Poland’s Tauron Arena.

Jamala hitting the high notes and showing the love for Ukraine 💙 💛 #ConcertForUkraine

To donate, head to https://t.co/O6jz1ICo8e pic.twitter.com/imKS7OiXYT

— ITV (@ITV) March 29, 2022

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Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, Emeli Sandé, Snow Patrol and Gregory Porter are among the first batch of acts announced the UK’s Concert for Ukraine fundraiser.

ITV, STV and Livewire Pictures have joined forces with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and media and entertainment group Global to stage the concert at NEC Group’s Resorts World Arena in Birmingham on 29 March.

The televised event is expected to raise more than £3 million (€3.55m) for the humanitarian appeal in Ukraine. All sponsorship and advertising revenue from the broadcast will also be donated to the appeal by ITV. Tickets went on sale today, priced from £52 (€62).

“The NEC Group stands with the people of Ukraine,” says Guy Dunstan, MD of ticketing and arenas. “Whilst the live entertainment industry is shocked and deeply saddened to see the humanitarian crisis unfold, it has the power to make a difference. That’s, of course, through people’s love of music.

“As a charity fundraising event, Concert for Ukraine will be a fantastic show that brings together some of the UK’s biggest artists at one of our leading entertainment venues, Resorts World Arena, to help raise money for humanitarian relief.

“We look forward to working with promoters and organisers in the lead-up to the concert to ensure that we put on an incredible show”

“As a Birmingham-based group, we’re delighted to host an event with such meaning and a cause that will, of course, resonate with people up and down the country. We look forward to working with the promoters and organisers in the lead-up to the concert to ensure that we put on an incredible show which, at its heart, shines a positive light on the people of Ukraine.”

Nile Rodgers + Chic, Manic Street Preachers, Tom Odell, Becky Hill and The Kingdom Choir have also been confirmed for the concert, which will be screened across ITV, STV, ITV Hub and STV Player.

Polish television company TVP is also spearheading a global charity TV marathon with a live music element in aid of Ukraine. Broadcasters in Estonia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Albania and Latvia have already signed up for #SaveUkraine, which is earmarked for Sunday 27 March at 4.30pm GMT.

A spate of benefit concerts held in Europe over the past week together raised around €20 million for related causes. Sound of Peace, a televised live concert that took place on 20 March in Berlin and raised more than €12m, according to the organisers. Elsewhere, Together with Ukraine, a televised live concert held at the Atlas Arena (cap. 13,000) in Łódź, Poland, organised by promoter Follow the Step, reportedly raised more than €6m.

A pair of events spearheaded by Dutch promoter Alda also raised upwards of €1m for the Romanian Red Cross. We Are One took place at the National Arena in Bucharest, Romania, while Dance For Ukraine was staged at Poland’s Tauron Arena.

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