Okean Elzy frontman Sviatoslav Vakarchuk performed for miners and power engineers underground — at a depth of 480 metres.
The impromptu concert took place at one of the mines of DTEK company, which operates a few dozen kilometres from the front line.
The musician went underground to personally support the workers who, amid the full-scale war, continue to extract coal for the needs of thermal generation and, like thousands of power engineers, repair workers, oil and gas workers, miners and machine builders across the country, to prepare for the extremely difficult heating season ahead.
The musical performance took place directly in the mine — where the people on whom the supply of Ukrainian coal to thermal power plants depends work every day.
“It is an honour for me to be alongside people who do extraordinarily hard work every day. Miners work deep underground, and the result of their work is felt by the whole country. Thank you for your endurance, strength and devotion to Ukraine,” noted Sviatoslav Vakarchuk.
As a memento of the meeting, the miners gave the musician a bouquet of sunflowers and a piece of Ukrainian coal. The sunflowers symbolise Ukraine, light, life and resilience, while the coal became a reminder of the meeting underground and of the miners’ daily work.
Today, DTEK miners work in difficult and dangerous conditions because of the approaching combat zone and constant enemy attacks on energy enterprises. Some mines have been forced to temporarily suspend operations because of shelling and the approaching front line. Despite the risks, the miners continue to work, because they feel a responsibility to support Ukraine’s energy system.
This is not the first time Sviatoslav Vakarchuk has performed for Ukrainian workers. Previously, the musician held an impromptu concert in the machine room of a thermal power station, which had been almost completely destroyed by russian missile strikes. On that occasion, he offered words of encouragement and sang to support the power engineers who are repairing the damaged equipment and providing the country with light and heat.