Art in the Service of Good: Novosibirsk Hosts a Charity Concert "Culture to Help Donbas"

      On August 22, 2025, as part of the celebration of the Day of the State Flag of the Russian Federation, a charity concert "Culture to Help Donbass" will be held in Novosibirsk. Talented performers, poets and composers will perform for residents and guests of the city to provide support to participants of the special military operation and their families. The project is organized by People's Artist of Russia Andrey Sokolov and the President of the Union of Composers of Eurasia Andrey Baturin. The event is held with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives.

      The project "Culture to Help Donbass" was created three years ago and brought together caring people from various creative professions. It is aimed at ensuring broad access for all social strata to the values of national culture, preserving the golden fund of Russian song and musical classics, and promoting contemporary work by professional composers and poets nurtured in the spirit of civic-mindedness and patriotism. The project organizers seek to draw attention to important social issues and create an atmosphere of unity and support through art.

      The concert "Culture to Help Donbass" will take place on August 22 on the Mikhailovskaya Embankment. The program begins at 16:00. Among the honored guests will be participants of the special military operation, as well as their families, which will provide an opportunity to feel unity and cultural mobilization.

      The concert will feature well-known cultural and artistic figures: People's Artist of Russia, theatre and film actor Andrey Sokolov; composers Andrey Baturin, Alexander Fedorkov and Oleg Kaledin; international competition laureate Oksana Tsakh; and artists from the city of Novosibirsk.

      Andrey Sokolov, People's Artist of Russia, head of the project "Culture to Help Donbass":

      — When you arrive with humanitarian aid at a hospital or to bring a "ribbon" to the troops, communication with the fighters is never limited to just handing over the delivered goods. It is always direct, live communication with our guys. In these difficult times, the spoken word has become no less valuable than material assistance. It has turned into a real weapon, a kind of necessary moral ammunition, a backbone, a confidence for the fighters that they have a reliable rear. The project "Culture to Help Donbass" has become an embodiment of unity, a sign of how necessary this support is for our brothers-in-arms.

      Over the life of the project we have been to many places; some of its participants have been awarded by the Ministry of Defense of Russia. At times the compositions of the front-line brigades changed, but what always remained unchanged was that everyone worked on a voluntary basis and with tremendous dedication. Wherever we were, we were always told: "Come again" and "Victory will be ours!" Much can be said about our project, but the essence is one — it is in demand and everywhere it is awaited with great anticipation.

      Andrey Baturin, President of the Union of Composers of Eurasia, organizer of the project "Culture to Help Donbass":

      — Continuing humanitarian, financial and creative support for participants of the special military operation is a priority direction of our creative activity. When we, poets, composers, performers, meet our fighters on trips, talk with them, hear about their strength and successes — all of this gives each of us a huge charge for creativity and the desire to help and support them. We become stronger when we help. And today we are all united with our country.