At the beginning of August 2023, a party was held in Monaco, at which, according to the resident, “people outside of politics” gathered.
Among the invited performers was a French singer who performed a Russian romance. The cost of the cheapest ticket was €750.
In general, the narrative that “culture, particularly music, is outside of politics” is quite widespread both among artists and among consumers of cultural products.
Why is music not out of politics?
“First, we need to remember what politics is in general. If we look at what this word means, we will see that politics is a process in which the state, represented by state authorities and their officials, as well as public institutions, realizes its goals and interests. And what is the music for? And it is precisely one of the ways to influence people, in their opinion, their thinking about various issues. This applies not only to the music itself, and its content but also to the performers. We can often see how a listener changes their opinion after hearing a different point of view from their “idol” or because of the content of the song. This applies not only to music but also to art in general. All this — art, science and other things — can exist both as an independent thing and as an instrument of influence on the people”, — Kyrylo Khmarskyi, sociologist, analyst.
Western musicians who support Ukraine
Billie Eilish
The singer dedicated the song “Your Power” to Ukrainians, called on world leaders to support Ukraine, and repeatedly raised the Ukrainian flag on stage.
Imagine Dragons
The band has been supporting Ukraine since the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion. In July 2022, the collective became an ambassador of UNITED24 and now still helps with fundraising for our country.
The lead singer of the band, Dan Reynolds, often raises the Ukrainian flag at concerts and also dedicates speeches to Ukrainians during performances, in which he expresses his sympathy and desire for peace.
In the spring of 2023, the musicians released a video clip for the song Crushed, which was filmed in a war zone in Ukraine. The main character of the clip was a 14-year-old boy, Sasha, who spent five months in the village under constant shelling. Part of his house was destroyed, his neighbors were killed, and the boy’s family lost everything.
Bring Me The Horizon
The artists expressed their support for Ukraine and also participated in the collection of funds for animals that suffered as a result of hostilities.
The team, together with the UAnimals foundation, held a charity collection, as well as a raffle, the winners of which received valuable prizes from the band.
Bring Me The Horizon also created yellow and blue bandanas to support Kyiv volunteers.
Coldplay
At a concert in Warsaw, they performed the song “Hugs” by the Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy, which became a symbol of the strength, stability and unity of the Ukrainian people.
During their concert in Berlin, the musicians performed together with the Ukrainian children’s group Color Music.
Tom Odell
The musician performed at the We Are One concert in Bucharest. All proceeds from the tickets were donated to the Romanian Red Cross to help evacuate Ukrainians.
In the same city, Tom Odell sang for Ukrainian refugees right at the train station.
The Cure
The legendary post-punk British band released their merch in yellow and blue and featuring a line from 1989’s Lovesong: “Nowhere far away. I will always love you.” The money from the purchase of such a T-shirt will go to UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), a UN organization that helps refugees.
Metallica
In May-June 2022, the band called on its audience to focus on helping Ukrainians and raised $1 million for the World Central Kitchen organization, which feeds people in the affected areas.
The Rolling Stones
In July 2022, at a concert in Vienna, the British band performed on the same stage with choristers from Kyiv.
Scorpions
The musicians expressed their support for Ukraine by replacing the words about Moscow in their hit song “Wind of Change”.
OneRepublic, Panic! At The Disco, 5 Seconds of Summer, Black Eyed Peas, Chris Isaak, Kesha, Fall Out Boy, Adam Lambert, Radiohead, Katy Perry, Deep Purple expressed their support for Ukraine and joined the “Stand up for Ukraine” campaign, which aims to raise funds to help Ukrainian refugees.
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Twenty One Pilots, Rammstein, The Who, Dua Lipa, Jennifer Lopez and others expressed their support on social networks, and also spread information about the events in Ukraine and how to help Ukrainians.*
*Information taken by journalists of The Ukrainian Review from personal pages of celebrities.
Why is cultural support of Ukraine also important?
“In a world where information and culture are spread quickly and easily through the Internet, social networks and media, the role of foreign stars in shaping public opinion is becoming greater. Foreign stars are people who have a large number of fans, listeners, viewers and readers in different countries and regions. They can influence their audience not only with their talent, but also with their views, values and attitudes on various issues.
Ukraine is one of those issues that needs the attention and support of the world community. Ukraine is fighting hard for its independence. Ukraine is also a country that carries out reforms, develops democratic institutions, protects human rights and tries to integrate into the European Union and NATO. Ukraine is a country with a rich history, diverse culture and talented people.
When foreign stars show their solidarity with Ukraine, they do several important things:
- They increase awareness of the situation in Ukraine among their audience;
- They increase the reputation and authority of Ukraine as a country that deserves respect and support;
- They create a positive image of Ukraine as a country with an interesting culture and talented people;
- They encourage their audience to study, visit and cooperate with Ukraine;
- They demonstrate their civic position and social responsibility.
All this is happening in the conditions of war, when Ukraine is experiencing a humanitarian and economic crisis, as well as constant threats from Russia. In such circumstances, foreign stars not only help shape public opinion but also influence the political agenda and decisions of their governments. When foreign stars express their support for Ukraine, they create a positive mood to help Ukraine. They also show their citizens that Ukraine is part of the European and global family that deserves respect, compassion, and justice.
Thus, foreign stars can be powerful mediators and ambassadors of Ukraine in the world. Their support can have a significant impact on the formation of public opinion and attitudes towards Ukraine in other countries. This can contribute to the strengthening of international solidarity, security, and cooperation with Ukraine,” comments Ihor Puts, the author of the Ukrainian YouTube channels IP UA and DaniShow.
“Supporting Ukraine in the field of culture is so important, because the voices of artists, intellectuals, and opinion-makers can reach huge audiences – much larger than those who read political or military analysis. Then these listeners and viewers go to the elections or influence their delegates in the parliaments, indirectly influence decision-making on support of Ukraine at the local and state level. This is how public opinion is formed – from the publicly expressed opinions of individual responsible citizens. And when the evil of the aggressor will be overcome, and justice will be restored, those who supported Ukrainian men and women in their struggle will share with us the joy of victory and the won peace,” adds Yevgenia Nesterovych, director of the Post Bellum-Ukraine NGO.
For Ukraine, not only economic and military support is important, but also cultural. Such support helps to keep the focus of attention on events, tells about Russian aggression to a much larger number of people.
Anya Ostymchuk
