8-year-old musician will perform at Letná benefit concert for Ukraine

A large benefit concert Together for Ukraine will take place on Letná plain in Prague on April 3, starting at 3 pm. The concert will feature several well-known local performers such as Tomáš Klus, Rybičky 48, Wohnout, and Divokej Bil as well as other celebrities.

One late addition to the Together for Ukraine (Společně pro Ukrajinu) schedule is Arinka, an 8-year-old girl from Kharkiv. Arina and her mother, Inna, were forced to flee their home but they managed to bring Arinka’s bandura, a stringed folk instrument with them.

“On Feb. 25, Arinka and her folk group were to record a new song in the studio … but it didn't happen. Instead, she sang this song in the cellar. On Feb. 26, Arinka was supposed to take part in the Kharkiv Star competition and play the bandura song ‘I Was Ukrainian,’ which she and her teacher had prepared, but it didn't happen either, because on Feb. 24 we all woke up to a terrible new reality,” Inna said.

After five days in the basement, they saw that the situation was not getting better.

“If it suits you, we would like to take this opportunity to support Ukraine,” she said when asking if Arinka could perform.

The concert organizers quickly agreed. “I didn't hesitate for a minute. I accepted her offer,” concert organizer Robin Suchánek said.

This is the second time the family had to leave due to Russian aggression. Arinka was born in February 2014 in the city of Pervomaisk in Ukraine’s Luhansk region, and in July 2014 the family had to leave home due to the occupation. They went to Kharkiv and began to build their new life. Arinka went to kindergarten, then to school, clubs, and music school. Her father is still in Ukraine.

Inna added that she now wants to hear the news of Ukraine's victory and see Ukraine flourishing again as it had before the beginning of the war.

Suchánek said the event is not only a concert but an event that will actively help on the spot. The concert will also feature a help market where visitors will be able to contribute to specific activities or bring material assistance.

Ukrainians who fled the war, for example, will have an opportunity to find work. For example, Caritas Czech Republic, Post Bellum, the Embassy of Ukraine, and the Food Bank will set up stands.

People can donate durable foods, fresh food, and healthcare items to the Food Bank. A list of what is needed can be found here.

 He added that we can hardly imagine the suffering of women and children who have left for an unknown country and whose men have remained in Ukraine to fight, and we can hardly imagine the suffering of those who remain in Ukraine.

"At the concert, we will express our solidarity not only with the people who are resisting the barbaric attack in Ukraine, but also with the Belarusians who are tirelessly demonstrating against the dictatorial regime of Alexander Lukashenko and the Russians protesting against Putin’s aggression,” Suchánek added.

“We also ask the public to invite those who have come to us in recent weeks. Some will be here with us for a short period, others will find a new home here. We will welcome them as new neighbors, give them the opportunity to say hello to us, give them a helping hand on Letná. Together, we will also send psychological support to those who have stayed in Ukraine to protect their homes,” Suchánek said.

While virtually all of the technical background to the concert has been donated, there are still some expenses. The public can also contribute to the overhead costs of organizing this event through the crowdfunding platform Donio. Any funds raised over what is needed will go to a fund set up by the Ukrainian Embassy.

Read more about the convert on its website and Facebook page.