Ukrainian refugees find solace in music at the Romanian Athenaeum

On the eve of the holidays, the beneficiaries of the project “Integration of refugees from Ukraine in Romania”, carried out with the financial support of Brot für die Welt, had the opportunity to escape from everyday life filled with uncertainties and reconnect with beauty, by participating in two exceptional cultural events hosted by the Romanian Athenaeum.On December 11, 2024, a group of 30 refugees attended the “Christmas Choral Concert” of the “George Enescu” Philharmonic Choir, under the baton of conductor Iosif Ion Prunner. In a magical atmosphere, they were carried away by the sounds of pieces such as “Hallelujah” from Handel’s Messiah and Camille Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio, accompanied by piano, organ, and harp. The performance transformed the hall into a sanctuary of hope and peace, offering the refugees a moment of emotional recovery through the healing power of music.

The following week, on December 17, 2024, another 23 beneficiaries participated in an extraordinary organ recital, conducted by Nicolae Moldoveanu. The program, including compositions by great masters such as Bach, Buxtehude, and Schumann, was a true healing for the soul. The monumental sounds of the organ transformed unseen emotional wounds into echoes of hope, creating a deep connection between the participants and universal culture.

For Ukrainian refugees, culture becomes a buffer between the reality of war and the desire to find a new emotional balance in the host society. Such events offer them moments of relaxation and reconnect them with a dimension of humanity that transcends borders – the beauty of art and music. Participating in these concerts allowed refugees to rediscover the joy of simple things, and to feel part of a universe of normality. We thank the “George Enescu” Philharmonic for its generosity in opening the gates of high culture to those in vulnerable situations, demonstrating that music and art can build bridges between worlds and heal souls.