At the museum concerts on February 27 and 28, we orchestral musicians together with our Ukrainian and Russian colleagues under the direction of Sebastian Weigle set a sign of solidarity with Ukraine: both concerts began with the Ukrainian national anthem.
Before the entire hall rose for a minute of silence, our Ukrainian colleague and deputy concertmaster Artur Podlesniy gave a moving speech:
"As I stand here, citizens both in my hometown of Kharkiv and in other cities in eastern Ukraine are defending their beloved country.
Families and friends have to seek safety from the bombings in bomb shelters. Many are fleeing. People are dying.
Our thoughts are with all those whose lives are in danger right now. With all who are involved in fighting and have to witness the whole tragedy.
Slava Ukrajini!"