This September, the Ukrainian Institute, together with partners from Denmark, Sweden, and Poland, carried out the Green Pilot Tour within the framework of the Europe Jazz Network initiative. The tour featured the Ruslan Bolatov Trio in collaboration with Insomnia Taxxi, creating a unique cross-border artistic dialogue.
The tour included four concerts:
3 September – El Mundo, Aalborg (Denmark), organized by JAZZ9TUS
4 September – Ukraine House in Denmark, Copenhagen (Denmark)
5 September – Free Spirit Festival, Gothenburg (Sweden), hosted by Knutpunkt
6 September – Svitlo Concert, Warsaw (Poland)
The Ruslan Bolatov Trio (Ruslan Bolatov – piano, Oleksandr Murenko – drums, Mykola Kisteniov – bass) presented an expressive repertoire combining original compositions and unique interpretations of Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar folk songs. Ruslan Bolatov who originally comes from Crimea, has highlighted Crimean Tatar culture in his program.
The participation of the Ruslan Bolatov Trio together with Insomnia Taxxi became an important collaboration in the international promotion of Ukrainian jazz and experimental music. The trio and Iryna Novikova (aka Insomnia Taxxi) who is now based in Sweden, have met for the first time during the tour for this new collaboration, thus creating a new program to present to the international audience.
The inputs of EJN members JAZZ9TUS and Göteborg Artist Center were essential to the success of this tour – from providing platforms and audiences for Ukrainian jazz to curating artistic encounters that emphasized quality, exchange, and sustainability. Their involvement highlighted the importance of European solidarity in supporting Ukrainian culture during wartime. Beyond the concerts, Ukrainian musicians engaged in jam sessions with local artists in Denmark and Sweden, strengthening intercultural exchange and opening new pathways for collaboration that may grow into future international projects.
The Green Pilot Tour emphasized sustainable touring practices, with musicians traveling predominantly by train and other eco-friendly transport instead of flights. At each concert, local organizers introduced the project and underlined the importance of reducing the environmental footprint in international music mobility.
Concerts attracted both local audiences and professional communities, providing visibility for Ukrainian music within the European jazz and creative scenes.
