‘Ukrainian Carols of Hope’ Christmas Concert 2024

In December 2024, Mariia Yaremak took part in the ‘Ukrainian Carols of Hope’ Christmas charity concert, held at the iconic St Pancras International railway station in London. The event was organised by the Campaign for Ukraine with the support of the Ukrainian Embassy in the UK and aimed to showcase the beauty of Ukrainian melodies whilst raising funds for medical care and support for children affected by the war.

Mariia performed a programme entitled ‘Ukrainian Fantasy’, which included traditional Ukrainian carols and folk songs, including her own arrangements of classical pieces such as ‘Shchedryk’, ‘Podolyanochka’, ‘Ivanku’, ‘The Grey Cat’, ‘In the Cherry Garden’, as well as original piano compositions performed on Elton John’s iconic instrument.

The concert also featured a string quartet and a Ukrainian choir conducted by Maksym Levytskyi. British actress Christine Milford recited poetry to Mariia’s music, actor and writer Stephen Fry was the guest of honour for the evening, and Ukrainian artist Oleksandra Dikaya presented a live art performance.

The event was broadcast live on the BBC, at the venue that has previously hosted world-renowned artists such as Elton John, Alicia Keys, John Legend and Norah Jones.

The funds raised were donated to the Ukrainian Medical Charity Fund to provide medical equipment and supplies to frontline stabilisation centres, as well as to the Gen.Ukrainian Foundation, which supports the psychological rehabilitation of children and teenagers who have lost their parents or survived violent occupation and deportation. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development matched all donations.