It is heart breaking to see the destruction, the devastation, and the human misery caused by the Russian government’s invasion into Ukraine. Destruction is the very antithesis of creation, it is the very opposite of what we do in our work every day.
IMRO and its partners around the world lament the human tragedy now unfolding in Ukraine and condemns the brutal assault by Russia on freedom and human rights. We stand alongside our colleagues and partners in Ukraine and our partners and friends at the Ukrainian Agency of Copyright and Related Rights (UACRR) who are suffering from the war instigated by the Russian Government. Their work is to support creativity, art and culture – precious qualities that enrich our lives and communities, but which are now under attack and facing terrible humanitarian consequences. Our thoughts are with friends and creators who have been forced to flee their homes, hide in shelters and take to the streets to fight to protect their country and freedoms.
We encourage in the strongest terms the path of dialogue and co-operation and insist on an end to aggression and violence. Our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people, standing defiantly in this unthinkable situation.
To those of you who may be touring on the road at this time, I urge you to include a piece of music from a living Ukrainian songwriter or composer. We stand with them in solidarity, in spirit and in harmony.
IMRO Chair
Eleanor McEvoy
