Final preparations for Bath concert in aid of Ukraine
All money raised at Bath Abbey will help support civilians caught up in the war
Final preparations are underway for a special concert of Ukrainian music and culture in Bath on Monday (24th February), to mark three years since Russia's full scale invasion of the country.
The evening at Bath Abbey will showcase talent from Ukraine including pianist and composer Mariia Yaremak and singer Nicole Medin, as well as the Argyle String Orchestra and the Bath Voices for Life Children's Choir.
The event is being organised by Ukrainian national Zhenya Shkill who now lives in Bathford and chairs the Friends of Oleksandriya group, which has been fundraising for the Ukrainian city since the start of the war.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio about the event she said: "Preparations are on their way and the programme is coming together quite nicely."
As well as music, stories of Ukrainian refugees who have been forced to flee their homes by the war will be performed by actors from Bath's Next Stage Theatre Company.
"We had a very long but very productive rehearsal last night with them and today our Ukrainian composer who wrote most of the music for the concert Mariia Yaremak, is coming to have a rehersal with the Argyle String Orchestra....
"It's fantastic, I am looking forward to it."
The concert is ticketed with all money raised set to go towards helping civilians still in Ukraine.
Previously the Friends of Oleksandriya group has funded electric generators for the Ukrainian city's hospitals and an ambulance for Oleksandriya's Children's Hospital.
It comes as US President Donald Trump is being widely criticised in the Western world for calling Ukrainian President Volodomir Zelensky a dictator and suggesting Ukraine started the war.
Following the comments a planned news conference after talks between Ukrainian President Zelensky and US President Trump's Ukraine envoy was cancelled.
The format of the press event, which was to include comments to the media by Mr Zelensky and retired US lieutenant general Keith Kellogg, was changed at the last minute on Thursday so that the two did not deliver statements or field questions from journalists.
The change was reportedly requested by the US side.
Russian officials, meanwhile, are basking in Washington's attention and offering words of support for Mr Trump's stance.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "the rhetoric of Zelensky and many representatives of the Kyiv regime in general leaves much to be desired" - a veiled reference to Ukrainian criticism of Mr Putin.
"Representatives of the Ukrainian regime, especially in recent months, often allow themselves to make statements about the heads of other states that are completely unacceptable," Mr Peskov said in a conference call with reporters.
Ticket's for Monday's concert can be purchased via this link.