Concert for Ukraine - The Inner Light at Vicar Street, 24 Apr

Posted on 5 Apr 2023

Poster

Fighting Words is proud to be partnered with Ukrainian Action in Ireland and the Irish Red Cross for a night of music, words and cultural solidarity.

Full details 

Some of the most loved artists from Ireland and Ukraine are gathering at Vicar Street on Monday, April 24, to perform and celebrate cultural solidarity at Vicar Street in Dublin.

Fighting Words, Ukrainian Action in Ireland and the Irish Red Cross have come together for The Inner Light Project, in a unified gesture of solidarity in support of the millions who have been forced to flee - those displaced, bereaved, exiled - as a result of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

An exciting and unique performance by some of the best loved artists from both Ireland and Ukraine will take place at Vicar Street on Monday 24th April in a potent act of cultural solidarity.


“In a war situation or where violence and injustice are prevalent, poetry is called upon as something more than a thing of beauty.” - Seamus Heaney


Over 25 Incredible Artists from Ireland and Ukraine

Over 25 artists - including many great friends of Fighting Words - will be performing on the night, hosted by Dearbhail McDonald:

  • Roddy Doyle
  • Victoria Amelina
  • Glen Hansard
  • Olesya Zdorovetska
  • Cathy Davey
  • Paul Muldoon
  • Shpylyasti Kobzari
  • Colm Mac Con Iomaire
  • Lia Mills
  • Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi
  • Mariia Yaremak
  • Hazel Hogan
  • Vivienne Mort
  • Patrick Freyne
  • Frankham & Love

The evening is one way of bearing witness to the immeasurable, and often untold, challenges that continue to unfold as a result of the war in Ukraine are presented in plain view for all to see.

The Inner Light is a project of three strands:

  • An original concert of song and storytelling that features acclaimed artists from both Ireland and Ukraine
  • The launch of a new book by Ukrainian writers who worked with Fighting Words to tell their stories
  • A photography exhibition by acclaimed artist Alan Compton who spent time working with these writers to create a visceral representation of scenes inspired by their narratives.

The concert at Vicar Street will feature some of these stories, read by the Ukrainian writers themselves. These will be sensitively interwoven with music and readings from other acclaimed Ukrainian and Irish writers & musicians, to create a programme that seeks to underscore the crucial need for solidarity and shared humanity at this time.

The Inner Light project was also conceived to provide a strong counter-narrative against the recent rise of voices of intolerance within Ireland which we believe do not reflect the understanding and compassionate views of the majority of Irish people.

Full details