Nobel Prize winner, Danish stars and Ukrainian writers mark the fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine with a solidarity evening at Det Ny Teater

Four years into Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the conflict has not only had human and political consequences, but has also left lasting traces in the country’s cultural life. Artists, writers and cultural institutions continue to work under difficult conditions, and access to international stages plays an important role in ensuring that Ukrainian culture can continue to be created, shared and preserved. This is the background for the large-scale solidarity evening “Ukrainian Voices – Stories of Freedom” at Det Ny Teater.

The event takes place on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion and is organized by Ukraine House in Denmark, the Danish Cultural Institute and Det Ny Teater as a solidarity celebration with a focus on Ukrainian literature, music and cultural exchange.

The evening brings together renowned Ukrainian writers and artists, who read both their own texts and selected works by historically significant, deceased authors from Ukraine. The texts are performed in the original language and at the same time get a Danish voice when the actors Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Bodil Jørgensen, Ellen Hillingsø and Christine Albeck Børge read the same works aloud.

Music is an integral part of the program and creates a coherent artistic experience. The Kyiv Camerata — one of Ukraine’s most renowned ensembles — will shape the musical dimension of the event, featuring Bohdana Pivnenko, the ensemble’s soloist and Artistic Director. 

The program spans generations — from classic Ukrainian writers to contemporary voices influenced by the experiences of the war. The texts revolve around freedom, human rights, courage and resilience, themes that have been central to Ukrainian literature across time and circumstances.

The evening's keynote speaker is Oleksandra Matviichuk, human rights activist and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022.

The event is staged by director Martin Lyngbo.

Chairperson of Ukraine House in Denmark Nataliia Popovych:

“Literature has long been a battleground for cultural sovereignty in Ukraine. From Taras Shevchenko and Lesia Ukrainka under the Russian Empire, to the Executed Renaissance destroyed by the Soviet regime, and to writers imprisoned in Gulags in the 20th century, Ukrainian literature is a body of texts written in resistance — by people who dreamed of freedom and often paid for it with their lives. For decades, Ukrainian voices were overshadowed by Russian imperial literature and distorted by Soviet ideology. Only in recent years have Ukrainians begun reclaiming their own authors and histories. Today, Ukrainian writers once again face mortal danger: many serve in the Armed Forces, others document war crimes, and some, like Viktoriia Amelina, have been killed. This is why giving Ukrainian literature a voice on European stages is not only solidarity — it is cultural justice.”

Director of Det Ny Teater Kasper Beknes:

"In a time when our culture, identity and sovereignty can suddenly be threatened in a single sentence, it is crucial that we stand together, show loyalty and insist on our right to speak in complete, unbroken sentences. Det Ny Teater is proud to be able to host an evening of solidarity, where we both make room for – and learn more about – Ukrainian cultural life, which is currently living under extremely difficult conditions."

Director of the Danish Cultural Institute Camilla Mordhorst:

“When a country is at war, it also affects the culture. Ukrainian literature, art and music contain stories about identity, resistance and human dignity, which have something to say to all of us. For me, it is crucial that those voices continue to be heard. That is why I hope that many will come and listen with us this evening. When we gather around the Ukrainian stories and give artists and writers a place on stage, it is a way of showing that their culture cannot be silenced, but must continue to have the opportunity to live, develop and be shared – even in the midst of war.”

About "Ukrainian Voices – Stories of Freedom"

Time and place: February 22, 2026 at 7:45 PM-10:30 PM (incl. break)

Det Ny Teater, Gl. Kongevej 29, Copenhagen

Participants: 

Oleksandra Matviichuk, human rights activist and recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize

Danish narrators:

Bodil Jørgensen

Christine Albeck Børge

Ellen Hillingsø

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Texts by:

Lesya Ukrainka

Mykola Khvylyovyi

Vasyl Stus

Lina Kostenko

Oksana Zabuzhko

Victoria Amelina

Iryna Tsilyk

Artur Dron

Valeriy Puzik and others

Ukrainian narrators:

Rymma Ziubina

Andriy Fedinchyk

The Kyiv Camerata:

Bohdana Pivnenko 

Dmytro Tavanets 

Ivanna Plish 

Denys Krutko 

Stage:

Martin Lyngbo

Curation of the texts:

Nataliia Popovych

Tamara Hundorova

Organizers:

Ukraine House in Denmark

Danish Cultural Institute

Det Ny Teater

Tickets:https://www.ticketmaster.dk/event/110705702?language=da-dk&camefrom=detnyteaterdk&brand=dk_detnyteatern&fbclid=IwY2xjawPk0s5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFrdVN0cUEzV2hzRGpEcFh0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHprgDv6EJt8CVIc9n3rhf5urQn3i1mh5aE5tSoBdAstveLwGOi32_23c1t38_aem_8UYga0apUmOUlikEQPLy3w