The acclaimed musical project “Pyrih i Batih” is set to deliver a groundbreaking performance in Copenhagen on August 23, marking Ukraine’s Independence Day
Copenhagen, Denmark — The Ukraine House in Denmark is proud to present a captivating performance by Pyrih i Batih, a musical project that breathes new life into Ukrainian poetry. On August 23, 2024, as part of the celebration marking the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine’s restored independence, Pyrih i Batih will provide a live musical accompaniment to Olexandr Dovzhenko’s classic silent film “The Earth” (1930). The event is taking place as part of the opening of the “Heart of the Earth” exhibition.
The event will take place at Vor Frelsers Kirke, Sankt Annæ Gade 29, Copenhagen, starting at 17:00.
The opening of the exhibition “Heart of Earth”, one of Ukraine’s most significant wartime cultural projects, will be unveiled at Ukraine House House in Denmark on 23 August at 15:30.
“We treasure every opportunity to bring Ukrainian artists to Denmark, especially those whose work meets the mission of the Ukraine House, which is to elevate the voices of the many forgotten and undiscovered authors in Ukrainian culture. We work to engage them in a dialogue with Danish cultural actors and institutions. Pyrih and Batih’s latest program, “Zamordowani” (Tortured to Death), features compositions set to the lyrics of renowned Ukrainian poets who were persecuted by Soviet authorities between 1918 and 1986. This performance serves as a powerful expression of Ukraine’s resilience, desire for justice, and love of life. Songs planned to be performed by the project in Copenhagen will complement the performances by the Ukrainian poets Kateryna Kalytko and Myroslav Laiuk of their poetry and prose, and their works in Danish will be read by the iconic Danish actors – Mia Lerdam, Esben Smed and Kirsten Polesen during the events on 23 and 24th of August. We find that there is no better way to celebrate Ukraine’s Independence,” commented Nataliia Popovych, chairperson of Ukraine House in Denmark.
“The “Heart of Earth” exhibition presents, among others, a work by contemporary Ukrainian artist Elias Parvulesco titled “Famine.” It was created specifically for the exhibition at Mystetskyi Arsenal in 2022 and is based on the iconic film by Oleksandr Dovzhenko, “The Earth.” Elias’s video is a kind of remake of the film at a time when Russia launched an act of ecocide against Ukraine,” says Natasha Chychasova, curator of the exhibition, head of the Сontemporary Art Department at Mystetskyi Arsenal. “The fact that during the opening of the renewed exhibition “Heart of the Earth” in Denmark, the film “The Earth” will also be screened in partnership with the Dovzhenko Center testifies to the synergy of Ukrainian cultural institutions and artists, as the band Pyrih i Batih who created a special musical accompaniment. For Mystetskyi Arsenal, such a unity of efforts with partners before the Independence Day of Ukraine is the best manifestation of solidarity in difficult times for the Ukrainian land and country,” adds the exhibition curator, Olga Zhuk.
Formed in 2019, Pyrih i Batih has quickly gained recognition for their unique blend of Ukrainian poetry and contemporary music. With over 150,000 Spotify followers, the band has captured global attention with their innovative approach to preserving and promoting Ukrainian cultural heritage.
The event will showcase Pyrih i Batih’s live musical accompaniment to Olexandr Dovzhenko’s “The Earth” (1930), exclusively for the opening of the “Heart of the Earth” exhibition. This unique performance celebrates Ukraine’s poetic legacy and cultural resilience, offering attendees an immersive experience that bridges Ukraine’s rich past with its vibrant present.
This event is made possible through the support of IZOLYATSIA. Platform for Cultural Initiatives foundation, Trans Europe Halles, Malý Berlín, and is co-financed by the #ZMINA_Rebuilding program, created with the support of the European Union in Ukraine. Additional support is provided by the Embassy of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Denmark, Dovzhenko Centre, and Ukrainian Institute.
Pyrih i Batih will also perform on 24 August, on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine, at 15:00, at the historic ceremonial hall of the University of Copenhagen. More information here.
The project is implemented by Ukraine House in Denmark and Mystetskyi Arsenal with support of IZOLYATSIA foundation, Trans Europe Halles and Malý Berlín and co-financed by the ZMINA: Rebuilding program, created with the support of the European Union under a dedicated call for proposals to support Ukrainian displaced people and the Ukrainian Cultural and Creative Sectors.
Ukraine House in Denmark is a cultural diplomacy institution with a mission to deepen Ukrainian-Danish cooperation in the field of culture and creative industries for sustainable peace in Europe. Based in Gammel Dok, Copenhagen, since February 2023, an international volunteer team held 5 exhibitions of Ukrainian contemporary art, architecture, design, and photography, organized more than 70 panel discussions involving 100+ Ukrainian and Danish parliamentarians, journalists, artists, architects and other opinion leaders, integrated Ukrainian content into leading Danish cultural platforms, such as the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, Copenhagen Architecture Festival, Kulturnatten, 3daysofdesign, Copenhagen Photo Festival, etc. Since July 2023, the Ukraine House has become an associate member of the Association of Cultural Institutes of EU countries.
For more information, please contact: [email protected]