Ukraine will participate for the second time in the international showcase festival and conference Budapest Ritmo, which will take place from April 11 to 13.

Supported by the Ukrainian Institute, Marichka Chichkova will participate in the conference, representing the Festival of Music in Lviv - the largest non-commercial festival in Ukraine. Since 2013, the organization has encouraged professional and amateur musicians and groups, music institutions, public spaces, and communities to organize free concerts. The event truly promotes the democratization of musical culture and provides space for creative aspirations, rather than consumer habits.

The concept of the event originated in France and has been celebrated annually since 1982. Four decades later, it has spread worldwide and is now celebrated in over 1000 cities in 120 countries. "Make Music Day Lviv" has been held annually since 2013. In 2023, over 100 musicians and bands participated in the festival in 46 locations in one day.

"I see a pressing need to restore Ukraine's connections with players in the European music market because after 2 years of pandemic and 2 years of active hostilities, Ukraine has been forgotten as a country to visit. Ukrainian voices are heard all over the world, but foreigners need to come to Ukraine and see the uniqueness and strength of our country with their own eyes," said Marichka Chichkova, artistic director of the Festival of Music in Lviv, head of the NGO Local Cultural Support, and concert venue Lower Hall.