“In a war situation or where violence and injustice are prevalent, poetry is called upon as something more than a thing of beauty.”

– Seamus Heaney

Fighting Words, Ukrainian Action in Ireland and the Irish Red Cross have come together for The Inner Light Project, in a unified gesture of solidarity in support of the millions who have been forced to flee – those displaced, bereaved, exiled – as a result of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

An exciting and unique performance by some of the best loved artists from both Ireland and Ukraine will take place at Vicar Street on Monday 24th April in a potent act of cultural solidarity. Some of the many Irish artists who will be performing on the night include Roddy Doyle, Glen Hansard, Cathy Davey, Paul Muldoon, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Lia Mills, Hazel Hogan, Patrick Freyne, Frankham & Love and Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi while a star-studded array of Ukrainian performers – some of whom will be travelling over from Ukraine especially for the concert – include singer Olesya Zdorovetska, indie rock group Vivienne Mort, folk band Shpylyasti Kobzari, pianist Mariia Yaremak as well as the renowned author and activist Victoria Amelina.

The evening is one way of bearing witness to the immeasurable, and often untold, challenges that continue to unfold as a result of the war in Ukraine are presented in plain view for all to see.

The Inner Light is a project of three strands: an original concert of song and storytelling that features acclaimed artists from both Ireland and Ukraine; the launch of a new book by Ukrainian writers who worked with Fighting Words to tell their stories; and a photography exhibition by acclaimed artist Alan Compton who spent time working with these writers to create a visceral representation of scenes inspired by their narratives.

The concert at Vicar Street will feature some of these stories, read by the Ukrainian writers themselves. These will be sensitively interwoven with music and readings from other acclaimed Ukrainian and Irish writers & musicians, to create a programme that seeks to underscore the crucial need for solidarity and shared humanity at this time.

The Inner Light project was also conceived to provide a strong counter-narrative against the recent rise of voices of intolerance within Ireland which we believe do not reflect the understanding and compassionate views of the majority of Irish people.