“a message of support for the Ukrainian people” for conductor Ariane Matiakh

Ariane Matiakh is the first female conductor to lead, on Wednesday March 9, throughout the ceremony, the Orchestra of the Victories of Classical Music. But for the forties, this 29th edition (broadcast on France Musique and France 3) will first be marked by the war in Ukraine, the country of her grandfather, where some of her family and friends are still to be found: “As a Frenchwoman with bleeding Ukrainian roots at the moment, I am happy to lead these Victories and bring a message of support to the Ukrainian people on the show.”

“It’s interesting to also see at the present time, after these two years of pandemic where the artists have finally been silent, that we are rediscovering with conflicts like this that the arts have a voice that counts in the dissemination messages of peace, fraternity.”

Ariane Matiakh

at franceinfo

It is through music that Ariane Matiakh will support the Ukrainian people tonight. With for her, a particularly moving moment, when the Philharmonic Orchestra of Nice will play, under her direction, the Ukrainian national anthem: “All the musical structures in the world have taken it up. It was the Minister of Culture in Ukraine who suggested that orchestras around the world show their support through this anthem. And I think that’s our duty to let it be heard also during the evening of Victories”.

According to the conductor, support for Ukraine should not, however, be accompanied by a boycott of Russian artists and repertoire. “I think we have to be very careful, she explains. Of course I condemn the artists who have always seemed close to power and who have not wanted or been able to take a stand, even if I have immense respect for their talent. I think that is not acceptable. Now, there are plenty of Russian artists who are not concerned with ties to the government. So I am absolutely against boycotting Russian artists. We must not take this slippery slope and make a good distinction between the political commitment of some and, for the rest, precisely, this musical communion which will once again bring peace.

The 29th Victories for Classical Music ceremony is broadcast on Wednesday March 9 at 9:10 p.m. on France 3 and France Musique, live from the grand theater of Aix-en-Provence.