BerkoFest welcomes Ukrainian musician who fled conflict to its Jubilee concert

A young man who fled Ukraine will play his violin at the BerkoFest Jubilee Concert next Thursday (June 2).

21-year-old Nikita Kucherov, who is from Odessa, will perform at the 10th BerkoFest at Berkhamsted Cricket Club along with local talent over the extended Jubilee weekend.

Amid the conflict and devastation in Ukraine, Nikita was welcomed to Berkhamsted and is now part of the London Performing Academy of Music on a Postgraduate Performance program.

The musician will play a solo at 3:10pm then he will be joined on stage BerkoFest favourite, Shane Lamont and The Warriors Of Light at the end of the day.

Back in Ukraine, Nikita was a soloist for Classical and Crossover and played on TV for the opening of the concert season in Kharkiv and the gala concert of the contest "ArtStarT" in Odesa.

From 12:30pm, various local artists and bands will come together to help the town to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The volunteer-led concert will see a range of artists and genres.

Local artists and bands like KRAK, The Devine Family and will showcase their talent at the event.

There is a focus on young local people with 17-year-old singer-songwriter Lex Gibbon, 12-year-old Harvey Hood and 18-year-old Maddie Horabin performing in the day.

Royal Opera singers Phillip Brown and Kathryn Jenkin will also perform.

There will be entertainment for children including a Circus Skills workshop.

BerkoFest founder Charlie Hussey said: “BerkoFest is all about the quality of local entertainment, and showcasing that at affordable prices.”

He added: “It’s about loving our community, and some of the monies raised will be supporting local charities.”

The festival, supported by Berkhamsted Town Council, will raise money for local charities including Age UK Dacorum who have helped to produce the event.

People can buy cheaper tickets online before the event here or can purchase them on the day.

Money is being raised by the London Performing Academy of Music for a scholarship fund for Ukrainian students. Donations can be made here.