Ukraine artists visit CISAC to strengthen links on “Creators for Ukraine” programme

group photo
Pictured (from left): Jan Mlotowski (ZAiKS); Agnieszka Kulczycka (ZAiKS); Ole Mykhailyuta (songwriter); Svitlana Oleshko, (theatre director), CISAC Director General Gadi Oron, Cristina Perpiñá-Robert Navarro (CISAC), Liudmyla Tsymbal (NGO-UACRR); Sviatoslav Rumezhak, Adrian Strain (CISAC)

Paris – 17th June 2022 – Two of Ukraine’s leading artistic creators came to CISAC headquarters in Paris to highlight the positive impact of the global Creators for Ukraine” initiative and discuss next steps for the campaign.

Oleh Mykhailyuta, songwriter and frontman of the successful hip hop band TNMK, and theatre director Svitlana Oleshko, met with CISAC Director General Gadi Oron to coordinate a common front in supporting victims of the war in Ukraine. The creators gave moving accounts of the collapse of cultural activity under Russian attack, the destruction of people’s livelihoods and their unwaivering faith in prevailing and rebuilding Ukraine. 

They were joined by representatives from NGO-UACRR and ZAiKS, the music societies of Ukraine and Poland which have played a key role in mobilising support from the CISAC community. 

The Creators for Ukraine fund was established to provide assistance and support to Ukrainian artists by creative communities from all over the world. The aid is earmarked for both those operating in Ukraine and those who have managed to escape from the war-torn country.

CISAC member societies have donated 1.5 million to the fund, of which 1.3 million has already been distributed. 

Songwriter Oleh Mykhailyuta thanked the international CISAC community for the Creators for Ukraine campaign. “Culture is soft power. Russia knows it and through imposing its culture is trying to dominate Ukraine. But it will never succeed. Ukrainian people and Ukrainian artists are stronger than ever. With your help we will prevail”.

CISAC DG Gadi Oron said: “It was inspiring to hear from Ukrainian creators of their extraordinary bravery and resilience, and also to learn how the Creators for Ukraine fund has made such a difference in the lives of so many people. The message from the global CISAC community, conveyed in our meeting, was simple: we stand by the creators of Ukraine, and we will not forget or stop supporting them”.

The Creators for Ukraine campaign has also seen the launch of “Songs for Ukraine”, set up by Hungary’s ARTISJUS to promote Ukrainian repertoire, and a petition signed by 4,000 artists from 50 countries. The campaign was also discussed at meetings with the EU institutions organised by GESAC, and in a visit to French society SACEM.

More details of the Creators for Ukraine project can be found here.