Spanish conductor on how Ukraine’s cultural scene continues to thrive despite war

After more than three years of war in Ukraine, simple cultural pleasures like seeing a comedy show or going to the theatre have become both moments of refuge and an act of resistance for the people of Kyiv. Foreign artists have almost stopped travelling to the country since Russia’s full-scale invasion, but one of those who have is Spanish conductor Félix Ardanaz. Speaking on FRANCE 24’s Perspective programme, Ardanaz recounted his experience in leading a performance of “Carmen” at the National Opera of Ukraine. He said he was “shocked” to see how people in Kyiv had become used to living in a “permanent state of danger”, adding that the musicians who decided to stay in Ukraine to continue the country’s cultural scene are “real heroes”.