Red Cross Benefit Concert Raises €90k for Ukraine

On Thursday 30 March 2023, the Luxembourg Red Cross held a benefit concert at the Philharmonie Luxembourg in solidarity with the victims of Russia's war against Ukraine.

The concert, held under the patronage and in the presence of Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, raised a total of €90,000 for Ukraine.

Proceeds from ticket sales, on-site collections and the cocktail reception that followed, as well as from sponsors, will be fully earmarked to support those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. The funds raised will finance rehabilitation work in hospitals and community centres, the distribution of building materials and hygiene kits to the Ukrainian population and will help refugees in Luxembourg following the conflict.

The evening began with a speech by Michel Wurth, Vice-President of the Luxembourg Red Cross, who recalled that the "voluntary and financial commitment of our fellow citizens allows us to help a growing number of people in distress and misery, both here and throughout the world. Never has our mission 'Mënschen Hëllefen' been as relevant as it is today."

The Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg (OPL) performed under the direction of Kazuki Yamada, accompanied by the soloist Daniel Lozakovich on the violin. The programme included Anton Webern's Passacaglia, Op. 1, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's Violin Concerto and Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations.

Since February 2022, more than 820,000 people in Ukraine and Moldova have benefited from the assistance of the Luxembourg Red Cross. The organisation has been working alongside the Ukrainian Red Cross for 30 years.

"More than 5,000 Ukrainians have found refuge in the Grand Duchy since the conflict began. Some of them found a temporary home with host families or in apartments kindly provided by local residents," explained Luc Scheer, member of the management board of the Luxembourg Red Cross. "The Red Cross has facilitated this process and is financing the rental costs for the duration of the accommodation through donations."