200 choir singers perform emotional concert for Ukraine in Barcelona square
Group sang pieces from the likes of Pau Casals, Francis Terral, and Mozart
The esteemed Orfeó Català choir and other groups from the Catalan Federation of Choral Entities performed an emotional open-air concert on Wednesday evening in support of Ukraine and against the war.
In Barcelona’s Plaça de Sant Jaume, 200 singers united their voices to offer a concert for peace. The repertoire sang included pieces such as ‘The Song of the Birds’ by Pau Casals, ‘Canon of Peace’ by Francis Terral, ‘Dona Nobis Pacem’ by Mozart, and the anthem ‘Prayer for Ukraine’.
In addition to the musical performances, the event included a manifesto reading denouncing the war in Ukraine and all wars around the world.
Read aloud by actress Queralt Albinyana, the manifesto urged governments of the European Union and the international community as a whole to devote "all their efforts, through negotiation, economic solidarity and peace proposals, to achieve a complete cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of troops out of Ukraine."
The reading also implored the international community to provide and guarantee access to humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine, including displaced refugees fleeing the war.
The singers called for the EU to take legal and safe action "immediately" to make a real reception "dignified by ensuring that the rights of women and children are respected."