The Heart of Europe Beats in Ukraine: The Eighth Annual Bouquet Kyiv Stage Festival Set for August 14-17

From August 14 to 17, 2025, the historic St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv will host the eighth edition of the Bouquet Kyiv Stage festival, a premier celebration of high art in Ukraine.

Media Center Ukraine joins as an official media partner for the event.

The festival will continue its tradition of blending music, Ukrainian visual arts, cinema, theater, guided tours, children’s programs, and the signature “Conversations beneath the Ash Tree.” This year’s theme, “The Heart of Europe Beats in Ukraine,” resonates deeply with the current geopolitical climate, highlighting Europe’s solidarity with Ukraine in a shared struggle for light against darkness.

“Ukraine has always been, and will always remain, part of Europe,” stressed Evgeni Utkin, co-founder of Bouquet Kyiv Stage Festival. “For the civilised world, Europe has long stood as a symbol of humanism, freedom, and dignity. In the clash of epochs, civilisations, past and future, European values have found their last stronghold. Today, the heart of Europe beats here – in Ukraine, in Kyiv, in Saint Sophia. Ukraine is the heart of Europe.”

Over four days, the festival will feature more than 40 events spanning diverse art forms.

Key highlights include:
– The art exhibition Ukraine – the Last Stronghold of Light, showcasing works by 28 Ukrainian contemporary artists.
– The Ukrainian-British exhibition Flowers from the Frontline, featuring a unique herbarium gifted by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
– The photo exhibition Resilient by the Association Promotion of Cinematography in Ukraine – “Watch Ukrainian!” (concept by Andrii Rizol, photography by Serhii Mykhalchuk).
– The research and cultural initiative Liberated Music, which presents compositions by Ukrainian artists repressed during past regimes.
– The choral premiere of Manifest, composed by Roman Grygoriv and performed by the Chamber Choir “Kyiv” under Mykola Hobdych’s direction.
– The Ukrainian debut of Alla Zagaykevych’s Songs of Odysseus for bells and electronics.
– KinoBouquet, featuring premiere screenings of Ukrainian films.
– Kobzar Glade, with performances by traditional kobzars from across Ukraine.
– Panel discussions addressing Cultural Genocide and The Development of Cultural Diplomacy.

International participants will include: – Norwegian piano duo Øystein Sevåg and guitarist Lakki Patey
– Polish piano virtuoso Mateusz Krzyżewski
– Israeli jazz ensemble Amit Friedman Quartet
– Georgian conductor and composer Nikoloz Rachveli
– Polish conductor Vincent Kozlovsky
– Philip Norman, scientist and researcher at London’s Garden Museum

Partners of Bouquet Kyiv Stage 2025:
National Conservation Area “St. Sophia of Kyiv,” Association “Watch Ukrainian!”, MHP Gromadi Charitable Foundation, Deloitte, Abet Laminati, Komora Rental, Embassies of Israel and Norway in Ukraine, Polish Institute, United Heritage Insurance, Art Shield Charitable Foundation, Paradox Public Relations, Garden Museum, Radisson Blu Hotel, Crimean House, Veterans Theater, Triptych Art Gallery, Responsible Future Charitable Organization, National Philharmonic of Ukraine, Liatoshynsky Foundation and Liatoshynsky Space.

Organizer:
Dom Master Klass, a Kyiv-based Ukrainian non-governmental cultural center founded in 2007, dedicated to promoting Ukrainian culture at home and abroad. Over the years, Dom Master Klass has produced thousands of concerts, hundreds of exhibitions, film and theater performances, lectures, and dozens of festivals both nationally and internationally.
Bouquet Kyiv Stage, launched in 2018, is their flagship project, an international, multidisciplinary, nonprofit, and socially engaged festival held annually at the iconic Saint Sophia Cathedral and abroad.

Event Details:
Bouquet Kyiv Stage 2025
August 14–17, 2025
National Conservation Area “St. Sophia of Kyiv”
24 Volodymyrska Street, Kyiv

For media inquiries:
Natalya Krasnenkova
+380 67 465 5426
[email protected]

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news