Song Out of Darkness: An Evening of Ukrainian Music, Song and Verse

Song Out of Darkness – Ukrainian Music, Poetry & Art
📍 St. Cuthbert’s Church, Philbeach Gardens, Earl’s Court
📅 15 October 2025

Join us for Song Out of Darkness, an unforgettable evening of world-class Ukrainian music, song, poetry, and art celebrating Ukraine’s cultural identity and resilience in the face of war.

This special event also pays tribute to Londoner Vera Rich (1936–2009) - poet, translator, and journalist whose groundbreaking 1961 volume Song Out of Darkness introduced Taras Shevchenko to English-speaking readers. One of her pioneering translations will be read at the concert, honouring both her legacy and the enduring strength of the Ukrainian spirit.

🎶 Programme highlights include:

• Oksana Sliubyk – the captivating award-winning soprano from Lviv admired for rare refinement, with recent performances at the Royal Opera House
• Iryna Rodionova – acclaimed maestra of Ukraine’s national instrument, the bandura, known for her expressive grace, joined by a Children's Ensemble from the Bandura Music Academy London
• The Spirit of Ukraine – a radiant children’s dance troupe, Artistic Director Inesa Semianiv
• Khrystyna Zakharkiv – rising star 11-year-old pianist with remarkable talent
• Vasyl Hrynkiv – virtuoso violinist presenting the music of the Carpathian Hutsuls
• Vivo Vocal Quartet – from London’s Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, showcasing the beauty of Ukraine’s choral tradition with their breathtaking vocal power
• Svitlana Shamina - Ukrainian pianist, celebrated for her expressive and refined performances across classical and jazz genres
• Levko Timoshchuk - a creative force with many talents, lending his voice to a reading of verse

⭐️ Special Guest:

• Celebrated Star Kristin Milward - a powerful stage presence, bringing Ukrainian poetry to life

🎙️ Compère:

• Alison Cameron - writer, speaker and activist with long-standing ties to Ukraine, and a close friend of the late poet and translator Vera Rich, in whose memory this evening is held.

🍷 Beyond the music:

Guests will enjoy authentic Ukrainian refreshments while exploring Embroiderers’ Stories — a powerful tapestry of 100 panels hand-embroidered by displaced Ukrainian women, curated by London-based Polish designer Nisia Jedrychowska and inspired by celebrated artist Maria Prymachenko. Also on display: artwork painted on fragments of missile shells by Tetyana Frey, transforming devastation into beauty.

💙 Fundraising with purpose:

All proceeds go to UAID International, a UK-based, volunteer-run not-for-profit delivering life-saving medical supplies and humanitarian relief to those living under the daily threat of war. Specifically, proceeds from this concert will be directed to training programmes and supply materials for Boryspil Pavlo Chubynskyi Lyceum, enabling teachers and pupils to gain essential first aid skills - a life-saving necessity in wartime.

Stand with Ukraine in solidarity, experience the power of its music and help make a difference.

🎟️ Tickets

£17 VIP | £12 Standard | £10 Early Birds| £14 on the door | Under 13 free

Evening Programme

6:30 PM — Doors Open
7:00 PM — Welcome Speeches
7:15 PM — Concert: Part I
8:00 PM — Interval (refreshments available)
8:20 PM — Raffle Prize Draw
8:30 PM — Concert: Part II
9:10 PM — After the Concert: Meet the Artists, Drinks and Conversation

Please note: timings may be subject to slight changes.

This event is organised by UAID International and residents of Earl's Court and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

With thanks to our sponsor The Big Yellow Company, who generously provide storage support to UAID International — making events like this possible.

Poster Design by Yelyzaveta Kyslian - elegant and evocative, capturing the essence of the evening.

If you'd like to support UAID's charitable mission you can do so:

🔹 by bank transfer:

UAID International Ltd

Sort Code 20-90-74

Account number 23527565

🔹 Please consider setting up a regular donation. Even a small monthly gift has a big impact, helping us plan ahead and ensure timely delivery of aid. Your ongoing support becomes effortless, making a difference every month. To set up a regular donation, click here and select your preferred monthly amount.

🔹 via our JustGiving page

🔹 by PayPal PayPal.Me/uaidintl

THANK YOU for your support!

We look forward to seeing you!

#uaid