The assembled audience included people from across the city, as well as invited guests from the world of the arts, culture and the city, including Members of Parliament, Bradford City of Culture 2025, and members of the Bradford City FC Community Foundation.

‘Songs for Ukraine’ is a creative exchange between the Royal Opera House and displaced Ukrainians produced by ROH Learning & Participation. The project has created a space for 150 Ukrainians to make music and connect with one another, and with the Royal Opera House. Beginning in September 2022, the project has continued to grow and evolve, with the group performing for the first time at the Royal Opera House in March 2023.

The concert featured the Songs for Ukraine Choir alongside, from Bradford, the Fiyalka and Dibrova choirs, as well as lay clerks from Bradford Cathedral and the Grace Notes, the Cathedral’s young community choir.

The programme included ancient pre-Christian carols to the well-loved “Carol of the Bells”. As is customary in Ukrainian song culture, this included “Kolyadka” which signifies the birth of Christ and “Shchedrivka” which brings wishes for well-being, a rich harvest, and family happiness.

You can read the full piece at https://bradfordcathedral.org.uk/2023/12/12/songs-for-ukraine-chorus/