On 1 March, Semyon Bychkov and members of the Czech Philharmonic took part in a benefit concert for Ukraine.Thirty thousand people gathered together at Prague’s Wenceslas Square and more tuned in in solidarity, donating over 180 million in CZK. Skip to 2 hours and 58 minutes in to catch the Czech Phil members performing in front of the Rudolfinum and 3 hours in to watch Semyon Bychkov’s speech here:
“I came to this sacred place in Prague to honor the memory of 1968.
Today, 54 years later history repeats itself once again. This time in Ukraine.
I want to say to Vladimir Putin who doesn’t deserve to be addressed as Mr. Putin:
Look at the images of Ukrainians you are killing.
Look in the eyes of Russian soldiers you sent to kill and be killed.
Look in the eyes of their mothers, fathers, wives and children.
You will see tears, pain and hatred.
The world has cried too many tears.
The world has felt too much pain.
The world has seen enough of hatred.
You must stop destroying Ukraine.
You must stop destroying Russia.
Your dream of having a place in History is already achieved.
You will be remembered for crimes against humanity.”