Ukrainians living in Dublin will join Phil Coulter as his special guests at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre 

Dublin members of the National Ukrainian Choir, brought together by the Irish Local Development Network, will join Phil Coulter for two songs on stage tonight, Friday, 1^st December, at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.

Composed of over 30 Ukrainians who fled the war in their homeland, the choir will perform ‘Steal Away’ accompanied by Coulter on piano, and ‘Carol of the Bells’ accompanied by three trumpeters: Victor Boyko, husband of choir director Yulia Boyko, and their two sons Anton and Alex. ‘Carol of the Bells’ has its origins in the Ukrainian folksong ‘Shchedryk’.

Anhelina Shvets, from Fingal, Co. Dublin is a member of the National Ukrainian Choir will be performing in Dublin on Friday night.

Coulter’s ‘Steal Away’ was recently translated into Ukrainian, recorded and released as a single by the National Ukrainian Choir in collaboration with the singer.

Originally written by the artist 40 years ago, it tells the story of a couple who escape from the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and this year’s fresh recording underlines the many parallels that exist with the current situation facing Ukrainians today.

Available for download via Spotify, the choir’s journey with Coulter also forms the basis for a special documentary, due to be released in 2024.

Commenting ahead of the concert, Phil Coulter said: “I’m delighted to be able to perform ‘Steal Away’ with the choir again, this time on stage at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.

“This is one of the most rewarding projects I’ve ever undertaken, and is much more than just a re-recording for me, it’s about reaching out to our Ukrainian communities across Ireland in a spirit of warmth, welcome and solidarity.

“It’s also a timely reminder to be grateful for what we have and, with all the challenges the world currently faces, to hold our loved ones even closer this year.

“‘Carol of the Bells’ has its origins in Ukrainian culture, and I’m really looking forward to performing it live on stage with the choir as we approach the Christmas season.”

Also speaking ahead of tonight’s concert, Adeline O’Brien, CEO at Empower, the local development company for Fingal, said: “This initiative and Friday’s live performance are all about raising awareness.

“The war in Ukraine continues, and there are still people arriving in Ireland fleeing from conflict, whether that’s in Ukraine or further afield.

“Working with Phil Coulter on this initiative has helped to highlight the situation Ukrainian’s are undergoing.

“This has been another year away from their homes and their loved ones in an unfamiliar place, and I hope that the experience of coming together as a choir has helped to lessen their pain.

“We’re extremely grateful to Phil Coulter for the time he has so generously given to this initiative and for inviting the choir to perform with him this week in the Bord Gáis.

“From speaking with members of the choir, I know this journey has been an extremely positive one, helping them feel connected to a community here in Ireland and to their homeland.”

‘Steal Away’ was translated into her native Ukrainian by choir director Yulia Boyko, who has been living in Co. Cavan for twenty years, where she runs her own music school.

Further information about the ‘Steal Away’ initiative is available online here.

The single is available on Spotify and YouTube.