Ukraine was prominently represented at the 40th anniversary edition of the international conference and showcase festival Eurosonic Noorderslag ESNS 2026, which took place on 15–18 January in Groningen, the Netherlands.
Founded in 1986, ESNS is an annual music conference and festival and the leading European platform for emerging musical talent, bringing together more than 4,000 music professionals from around the world each year.
This year marked Ukraine’s largest-ever delegation at ESNS, with more than 30 music professionals in attendance. Part of the delegation participated with the support of Music Export Ukraine.
As part of the ESNS programme, the Ukrainian Institute hosted the first official Ukrainian reception, attended by over 100 international delegates. The event presented the activities of the Ukrainian Institute’s representation in the Netherlands, as well as Ukrainian delegates and artists, and provided a space for international professional networking.
The ESNS conference was opened by Vlad Yaremchuk, Partnerships Manager at UAME | UAME - Ukrainian Association of Music Events (Music Saves Ukraine), with a speech highlighting the need for continued support for Ukraine and the role of music during the war. Ukrainian music professionals also took part as moderators and speakers in panel discussions, reflecting strong international interest in Ukrainian professional expertise.
The following Ukrainian artists performed as part of the showcase festival:
- GANNA (Electronic Folk) — one of the most prominent vocalists on the European jazz and world music scene
- Hyphen Dash (Jazz Fusion) — representatives of the new wave of Ukrainian jazz
- Monokate (Alternative Pop) — a solo project by Kateryna Pavlenko (Go_A), exploring alternative indie pop
For the Ukrainian Institute, Ukraine’s participation in Eurosonic Noorderslag is a key priority in the development of international cultural cooperation and in strengthening the presence of the Ukrainian music scene within the European professional environment.
