Pianist Anna Fedorova Fundraises With NFT To Support Ukrainian Children Refugees

The Russian-Ukrainian conflict that has persisted since 2014 has become a humanitarian catastrophe of gravity not seen in Europe since the Second World War. Triggered by Russia, the war has taken a much more violent turn since the beginning of the invasion of the entire country launched on February 24, 2022.

With an estimated 5 million refugees, including 2 million children, according to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), refugee integration into the new society and especially the access to education for young Ukrainians in the host countries has become an urgent concern. How can quickly integrate young Ukrainians of school age into society?

For the Ukrainian pianist Anna Fedorova, soloist of the opening concert of the Verbier Festival 2022, it was all about helping musically talented children even in the most challenging times. The necessity to develop every child and to provide not only basic education but also to identify special abilities, to help them realize their talent led her to found the Davidsbündler Music Academy even before the hostilities broke out.​​

The rising star of world classical music elaborates: "Many of these young musicians were forced to leave with little or nothing. We have so far helped dozens of refugees to find musical instruments, as well as housing and tuition, allowing them to continue their studies and find solace in music. The stories of how they escaped the ravages of war meant that some could not face hearing or playing music for weeks. They were tormented by feelings of guilt for those left behind, disorientated by living in a world that seemed so 'normal,' while all too aware that their friends and family members were still suffering in Ukraine. Through the Davidsbündler Foundation, we fund and sponsor gifted musicians who have had to flee Ukraine and found safety and shelter in the Netherlands. The Foundation provides a safe haven as well as emotional and practical support to help rebuild lives."

She adds: "The Foundation already supports a significant number of young talented musicians. But the high cost of teaching makes it impossible to provide music courses to everyone who wants or needs them."

In order to increase the number of donations and raise the necessary sums to teach children, Anna turned to blockchain and NFTs as emerging technologies. Thus partnering with the Swiss technology company DCM (Digital Content Marketplace) to create and promote an NFT collection to raise the necessary funds.

Having reached a turning point in 2021 with an annual volume record of $24.9 billion. NFTs have been on the rise. However, although NFTs are best known for their speculative aspect, 2022 has allowed them to reveal other much more honorable use cases, one in particular, donations.

2022 is indeed notable for the support the crypto community has given to the Ukrainian people. From the beginning of the war, Ukraine was offered considerable help and thus received nearly 100 million donations in cryptocurrency. Thus confirming that sending donations via blockchain was proving to be a safe way to fund aid campaigns around the world.

The NFT collection "For Ukrainian Talents" represents (represents/demonstrates) the support of Ukrainian children by residents of various cities from around the world. Currently, the collection includes 11 cities (and more to come), original audio recordings of children performing music for which funds are being raised, as well as an exclusive excerpt of a recordingс of Rachmaninoff's Second Concerto performed by Anna Fedorova.

"The yearly tuition fee is €8.500. With no end in sight for the current conflict, we are raising funds to provide these young musicians with a future perspective. It is absolutely amazing that the tech company DCM Swiss is now helping us to help these children, broadening the network of donors for our peaceful and musical mission. You all have my personal word that not even one penny will be spent on anything other than helping these very torn yet very talented and brave children. Please purchase an NFT and you will find exclusive pictures and recordings of these children, and also of myself, inside." – Anna said.

Julia Zolotarenko, Co-Founder of DCM Swiss, and Ukrainian herself said: "DCM Swiss is proud to start this campaign globally in collaboration with brilliant Anna Fedorova to help children victims of this unforgiven conflict to continue their music studies, having in the classical music an opportunity of future".

Also, you can visit the website of the project to purchase the NFTs here.