Singing Together: A Karaoke Evening with Ukrainian Songs 🎤

On December 10th, we hosted a karaoke event dedicated to sharing Ukrainian musical traditions with the local community. The event was part of the “A Million Voices” project, which focuses on supporting the mental health and social integration of Ukrainian refugees in the EU through creative, art-based approaches.

Before each song, we shared short stories about its origins and cultural background, giving participants a glimpse into the history and emotions behind the music.

And then, we sang!

Participants asked questions about regions, traditions, and symbolism in the lyrics. Even those unfamiliar with the language joined in, trying out Ukrainian words, following the melodies, and singing together as a group.

One of the most memorable moments was hearing everyone sing at once. Different voices, different accents, all coming together. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and full of curiosity. Several people shared that the songs reminded them of their own cultural traditions.

This is exactly what “A Million Voices” aims to do: use creative expression to empower Ukrainian refugees, create space for storytelling, and build bridges between communities.

What we took away:

-Music builds instant connection. Once the singing started, barriers disappeared

-Context makes culture come alive. Understanding the stories behind the songs made the experience richer and more meaningful.

-Participation beats performance. The group singing moments were the heart of the evening.

What’s next?

Inspired by the response, we’re planning more events within the “A Million Voices” project, exploring Ukrainian crafts, storytelling evenings, and possibly multilingual singing sessions where participants can share songs from their own cultures.

Sometimes, all it takes is a song to bring people together.