Music inspired by late Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina and other poets resound in Italy

A concert and cultural project titled “Resiste un canto di libertà” (“Stand, Song of Freedom”) was staged on Nov. 9 in the Italian city of Piacenza that celebrated the profundity of contemporary Ukrainian poetry and music as symbols of freedom.

The initiative, organized by the Ukrainian Volunteer Association NADIYA ODV in cooperation with NAU — the Network of Associations for Ukraine, assembled contemporary Ukrainian verse and original musical compositions by Italian artists.

The project seeks to promote Ukrainian culture in Italy, popularize modern literature and music, and engage Ukrainian artists in a cultural dialogue with the Italian audience.

Organizers say this dialogue goes beyond art and serves a humanitarian purpose by fostering a deeper understanding of Ukraine through its words, music, and spiritual strength.

The concert featured works by contemporary Ukrainian poets Victoria Amelina, Iya Kiva, Oksana Stomina, and Yuliya Musakovska, set to music by Italian composer Giorgio Bernabò. The performances blended vocal, instrumental, and spoken elements, creating an atmosphere of sincerity, unity, and the resilience of the Ukrainian spirit.

A particularly moving moment came with the performance by Oksana Stomina, whose poetry and presence gave the evening profound emotional depth. The concert concluded with the Dzvinochky (Bells) children’s choir performing Ukraine’s national anthem, arranged by Giorgio Bernabò that resonated as a powerful symbol of generational unity and enduring spirit.

The event stood as a vivid example of intercultural cooperation and solidarity. “Resiste un canto di libertà” was not only an artistic act but also a testament, a remembrance, and a call to action — helping affirm Ukrainian identity within the broader European cultural space, organizers emphasized.

Following its premiere, the project continues to evolve: Oksana Stomina’s new book is now being presented across Italian cities, and the musical cycle “Resiste un canto di libertà” will include a series of performances in various locations throughout the country in the coming months.