Away from the world of Ukrainian politics and policy - briefly at least - I will draw your attention to the annual Odessa International Jazz Festival that takes place next week over a four day period.
Amongst this years performers are Yuri Kuznetsov Honored Artist of Ukraine (Ukraine), Anatoly Vapirov (Bulgaria ), Anatoly Vapirov (a frequent guest at the Odessa Jazz Festival), Cuban violinist Omar Puente, German trio Benedict Yanelya (Germany - Spain - Canada), Lisa Henry & Oleg Butman Trio ( USA - Russia ), Henry Fox, who will perform with a trio of Oleg Butman ( Russia ), Kuba Stankiewicz ( Poland), Dario Pinelli & Binario Swing ( Italy), Benjamin Faugloire Project ( France), Ahimsa ( India - Germany), Roman Tulei Trio ( Switzerland), FKP Trio ( Ukraine), Asea Sool ( Georgia - Ukraine), Samokhin Band ( Poland), Liberty ( Transnistria), Jam Band ( Ukraine), and Odessa’s Swing Dance Studio - to name but a few.
So if you plan to be in Odessa next week and are a lover of jazz - as long as the weather stays dry, as it opens with a concrt in the City Gardens - you will undoubtedly have a good time!