Tens of thousands attend unity gig in Kyiv
- 10 years ago
Tens of thousands of music fans came together at Olimpiysky stadium in Kyiv to attend the 20th anniversary concert of Okean Elzy, one of Ukraine’s most successful rock acts.
As unrest and violence continues to destabilise the east of the county the event became a call for unity and stability.
The bands’ singer Svyatoslav Vakarchuk spoke of the situation in the east: “I never thought of us as of some revolutionary musicians. We don’t have special revolutionary songs. I think, things that don’t kill us make us stronger. So I think that situation in the east will sooner or later make us stronger.”
Although the fans enjoyed the concert the situation in parts of Ukraine cast a long shadow: “Its a celebration for me, but at the same time there’s a feeling of tragedy, which we have to live through together, united – only this will help us overcome all of the troubles,” said one reveller.
The band, though big in Russia, is now finding it difficult to perform in the country.
No such problem in Kyiv.
As unrest and violence continues to destabilise the east of the county the event became a call for unity and stability.
The bands’ singer Svyatoslav Vakarchuk spoke of the situation in the east: “I never thought of us as of some revolutionary musicians. We don’t have special revolutionary songs. I think, things that don’t kill us make us stronger. So I think that situation in the east will sooner or later make us stronger.”
Although the fans enjoyed the concert the situation in parts of Ukraine cast a long shadow: “Its a celebration for me, but at the same time there’s a feeling of tragedy, which we have to live through together, united – only this will help us overcome all of the troubles,” said one reveller.
The band, though big in Russia, is now finding it difficult to perform in the country.
No such problem in Kyiv.