This speech was not planned—but in light of yesterday’s events, which once again put at risk not only the existence of my country but also peace on the rest of the continent—not to mention the values of the civilized world—I stand here now and deliver these words. As you can see, I’m wearing a suit.

When Thomas Bruns from Ensemble KNM proposed the theme for this series, "re:construction," one of its intended meanings was to reflect on the process of reconstruction in post-war Ukraine, my home country.

A year has passed, and it now seems that "re:construction" is taking place on a global scale, affecting the very structure of the world we live in.

Now, having lived in Berlin and, one way or another, organized around 15 events in Germany side by side with representatives of your scene, I know that I am surrounded by friends. Friends of KCMD, friends of Ukraine. My friends.

I don’t feel the need to tell you the stories of my people. I know that you know. I now know of numerous cases where those among you have supported my people in countless ways. And I know that you have already heard everything from them and that you already understand. You are friends.

So the thing I will say to you is the same thing I say to my friends—to Ukrainians. We must stand together. That is the only way we can endure. 

At first, no one listened to us. When they started listening, didn’t believe us. When they started believing us, they didn’t believe in us (for decades, we didn’t truly believe in ourselves). Then, they were afraid to support us sufficiently.

And yet, Ukraine stands firm, relentlessly breaking through doubt, step by step by step.

When we don't have the funds to create a festival, we go ahead and make it happen anyway. When we lack satellite data to support our soldiers, we crowdfund millions and buy a satellite. When an institution is missing, our communities step in to fill the gap, ensuring that we have what we need to move forward. 

I ask you to believe. Believe in us; believe in yourselves. Believe in yourselves as a community, as a country and as individual citizens.

From conversations with some of you, given your history, I know that the concept of believing in your own country might not be an easy one. But I — a Ukrainian, raised by my great-grandmother who went through World War II — believe in you. We, Ukrainians, believe in you. From a country that once sent Ukraine helmets, you have become our second-largest provider of military aid in the world. Since yesterday, it may turn out that you will become the first…

Today, a year ago, I spoke with Stas Nevmerzhytskyi, my friend and colleague. A musicologist and the founder of the independent Ukrainian music media The Claquers, who at that moment made the decision to join the army and defend our country from Russia.

In his voice, I heard calm, confidence, and determination. “I started psychotherapy, and my path in it led me to this point. I have never been more at peace with my decision than I am now.", he said.

I was afraid that our conversation might be one of the last. But just recently, he returned from leave after recovering from a concussion—and went back to the battlefield.

Yesterday, I asked him if he had the chance to teleport to Radialsystem and say something, what would it be?

He said:

“By the feel of it, this is the time of the final battle, when Gondor lights the beacons, waiting for Rohan to finally respond.”

This makes me a Gondor’s messenger, I suppose.

It is time. 

It is time to wake up. 

And Europe, it seems, has woken up.

For me, It is time to accept the fact that whatever happens next, I will never return to Kyiv as it was in 2021. It hurts to tears. 

If you allow me to say this — it is time for you to accept the fact that whatever happens next, there is also no way for you to return to the world as it was three years ago.

We believe in our dignity and our agency regarding what our future will look like. I think yesterday, the person who represents me demonstrated this perfectly in the Oval Office.

The world needs you, Europe needs you, Ukraine needs you, — I really need you to believe in your agency and dignity as well.

Thank you for your support.

Danke für eure Unterstützung.

Дякую за вашу підтримку. 

Yours,

Albert, and the Kyiv Contemporary Music Days team: Kateryna, Khrystyna, Mariia, Tetyana, Mykhailo, Vasyl, Les.