Why did you found this festival?
Anna Gadetska: In Ukraine, the situation regarding early music is quite unique, as there is no separate institute or department at universities that covers all early instruments, but only individual courses, such as harpsichord, and sometimes basso continuo. Nevertheless, we do have early music ensembles that have been working together for years. And, of course we needed a festival-an event where different musicians from all over the world could meet, because after 2022, following the Russian attack on our country, it became clear to us that we needed to connect more with the world.
Then a group from Open Opera Ukraine and the National House of Music attended a REMA conference, where we were able to introduce ourselves and give a concert. After that, we decided to combine the expertise and resources of three organizations: the National Philharmonic, directed by Mykhailo Shved; the National House of Music, led by Olga Kononenko; and the NGO Open Opera Ukraine, where I serve as program director. That’s how we launched the festival, because Baroque music is a vital and important part of Ukrainian heritage. Yet very little is known about the Ukrainian Baroque, even among professional musicians.
