Blog

How Lviv’s Live Music Scene Adapts Under Fire

Discover how music events in Lviv thrive despite war, thanks to innovative security measures and cultural resilience.

The European Live Music Census Day, conducted across five cities, underscored the vital role of live music as both a cultural and economic driver. Part of the EU-supported OpenMusE project, this initiative brought together stakeholders from several countries to evaluate how live music impacts cultural engagement, nightlife, and business in their cities.

In Lviv, Music Export Ukraine led the research, focusing on security concerns and the unique challenges and opportunities facing live music in the region. This work contextualizes the role of music in Ukraine and broader Europe, even amid difficult circumstances.

Oleksiy Taraban, Acting Head of the Department of Culture at the Lviv City Council, highlighted how the war has reshaped the city’s cultural life, making security a top priority for events. “Where we once worried about sound and lighting, we now ask, ‘Where’s the nearest shelter, and how many people can it hold?’” Lviv’s city administration actively collaborates with businesses to organize events safely and has developed an interactive map of shelters for event planners.

“In a nutshell, Lviv is a city rich in cultural heritage, with a creative spirit that blends historical legacy and modern innovation,” said Taraban. “From the days of Solomia Krushelnytska, one of the greatest opera stars of the early 20th century, and Myroslav Skoryk, a renowned composer, to modern acts like NAZVA, music has always been central to Lviv’s identity. Today, venues like the Lower Hall of the Puppet Theater and FESTrepublic are key to keeping that spirit alive.”

Taras Demko, a co-director of the Lviv Concert House, shared insights on managing security while hosting 7–10 classical music events weekly in their 400+ capacity venue. Remarkably, the venue now hosts more events than before the full-scale Russian invasion or the pandemic.

“When others relax, we work — because people need those moments of relief,” said Demko. “Since the full-scale invasion, we’ve had to work 10, even 100 times harder. That effort has translated into more concerts and greater demand for live music.”

Demko stressed that success comes from meticulous planning and collaboration with local authorities. His strategy includes thorough security assessments, clear communication of evacuation routes, and ensuring first aid is available. Audience safety remains the top priority, even if it means adjusting the scope of events.

He also offered practical tips for organizers:

  • Collaborate Closely with Authorities: Work with city officials to understand any current security restrictions and update them on event plans.
  • Prioritize Flexibility: Be prepared to adjust event formats or sizes as needed, staying adaptable to sudden changes.
  • Educate and Prepare Staff: Ensure that all event staff are trained to handle emergency scenarios, including evacuations and first aid.
  • Communicate with Attendees: Keep audiences informed about security procedures and any restrictions that may affect their experience, building trust and transparency. People might have (especially now) different needs or traumas, and some could be triggered by lights/sound, so it’s crucial to inform them beforehand about the specific audiovisual character of the program, to protect them from undesired stress.

Marichka Chichkova, representing the Lower Hall of the Puppet Theater, emphasized the social impact of live events, especially during wartime. “For me, organizing concerts is a direct way to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We donate 25% of the income from every event, no matter the scale or performer. While it’s not economically profitable, we know how important it is to raise funds and support musicians. It’s a win-win: musicians have a platform to perform and earn, and the audience has a space to connect. Many veterans and people with loved ones in the army attend our events. Even in wartime, life goes on, and we need to support each other.”

Through this research, Music Export Ukraine aims to solidify Lviv’s place on Europe’s music map, showcasing both the challenges and the openness to collaboration and events despite current realities. Ukraine must not remain isolated from the world. The EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 calls on the EU cultural and creative sector to strengthen cooperation with Ukrainian civil society to strengthen preservation and resilience: the OpenMusE Live Music Census illustrates clearly how the Ukrainian side has prepared itself to answer this call. With careful planning and security measures, Lviv is ready to host diverse events and international acts, to the benefit of both local audiences and the broader European arts and culture scene.

This project reaffirms that live music is much more than entertainment — it’s a testament to resilience, a tool for mental well-being, and a powerful means of social support.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *