It was a night of emotion, music, and solidarity. At the prestigious “National Legend of Ukraine 2025” awards ceremony in Kyiv, the hall fell silent as Georgian singer Nino Katamadze and conductor-composer Nikoloz Rachveli took the stage. What followed was a performance that touched the very soul of a war-torn nation.
Katamadze’s voice – powerful, and heartbreakingly sincere – carried the weight of grief and resilience. Many in the audience wept openly, among them President Volodymyr Zelensky, who rose to his feet as the hall erupted in ovations. At his side stood First Lady Olena Zelenska, while Ukrainian rock legend Sviatoslav Vakarchuk later joined the stage to embrace the Georgian guests.
The evening was not only a celebration of cultural achievement. It became a reminder that in times of war, music is both a refuge and a rallying cry. Katamadze and Rachveli’s performance underscored the bond between Ukraine and Georgia – two nations scarred by Russian aggression yet unbroken in their will to stand free.
“The applause, the appreciation, and the heartfelt appearance of our friend Sviatoslav Vakarchuk on stage – all of this was very important to me,” Katamadze later told Kyiv Post. “Being welcomed as genuine friends was deeply meaningful.”
Speaking to Kyiv Post after the event, Katamadze recalled that the duo’s participation was not initially planned.
“We had our concerts scheduled for August 23, 24, and 25. But we were asked if it was possible to come earlier, by August 20. Nikoloz was already there, so I arrived in Kyiv at around 3:30 p.m. and by 4 p.m. I was already at the concert hall,” she said.
The award, she stressed, is steeped in symbolism. “It was deeply moving, an honor, and a responsibility – especially since this is a truly Ukrainian national award. Being welcomed there as genuine friends of the country is very meaningful.”
The Georgians were kept as a surprise element, since no one knew whether they would manage the long road from Chișinău to Kyiv. “But everything worked out and we could be present,” Katamadze said.
Among the pieces performed was the beloved Ukrainian song “Chornobryvtsi” (“Marigolds”).
“It is impossible to sing it without tears,” Katamadze admitted. “It speaks of a mother, of flowers planted in her palms, of pain and love intertwined. Every time I perform it, I feel as if I am caressing my own mother’s hands.”
After the concert, as has become tradition for the Georgian musicians, they brought flowers to Maidan, to honor Ukraine’s fallen heroes. “There were so many that there was hardly any space left,” Katamadze said. “It is painful and heartbreaking, but also deeply moving – how much Ukrainians care for their fallen heroes. All of this is reflected in their songs, in their gratitude, in their resilience. Whatever words I might use, the main message remains the same: Ukraine will win.”
“Unity will lead Ukraine to victory”
Katamadze also shared a deeply moving moment from behind the scenes. She reflected on how even the smallest gestures – standing together, listening attentively, sharing the same space in anticipation – conveyed a powerful message of solidarity.
For Katamadze, it was a reminder that the event was more than just music or awards; it was a demonstration of collective resilience and shared purpose. Behind the stage, in those moments of stillness, the true spirit of Ukraine – its courage, unity, and unwavering hope – could be felt in every glance and every heartbeat.
“In the building where the concert took place, there were many dressing rooms with televisions, where artists and technicians could watch while waiting for their turn. When President Zelensky appeared to deliver his 15-minute speech at the start of the ceremony, everyone – musicians, technicians, administrators, makeup artists – stood up to listen. The sense of unity was overwhelming. That unity, I believe, is what will lead Ukraine to victory.”
She added that the gratitude of Ukrainians leaves an indelible impression: “They are people of enormous spirit. Whenever I cross the Ukrainian border, every song, every word, every gesture takes on a new meaning, a deeper resonance. You see so many heroes, so many beautiful people – mothers, children, families – who have been tortured and deprived of life on their own land. It is unbearable injustice. And yet, inside Ukraine you feel stronger, because at least you can share the pain directly, look into people’s eyes, and stand together.”
“Georgia’s solidarity must be visible”
For Katamadze, the symbolism of her presence with Rachveli was crucial.
“It was important that people in the hall could see our solidarity, Georgia’s solidarity. Every story shown was deeply moving. What matters most to me now is Ukraine’s victory. I always try to do more than I say and not burden anyone with my presence. What truly matters is what President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people are doing for their homeland – that is greater than any emotions.”
For Ukrainians, the appearance of Katamadze and Rachveli was more than a cultural highlight. Both artists have long stood with Ukraine in its darkest hours. Katamadze, internationally renowned for blending jazz, folk, and rock influences, has performed in Kyiv for decades, always insisting that music must serve truth and humanity. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, she has repeatedly spoken out against aggression, dedicating her concerts to Ukrainian resilience.
Rachveli, a celebrated conductor and composer, has also deepened Georgia’s musical and cultural dialogue with Ukraine. Known for his orchestral collaborations and innovative projects, he has consistently highlighted the shared historical wounds of the two nations – from Georgia’s wars in the 1990s and 2008 to Ukraine’s present-day struggle.
Music as message
The performance in Kyiv was not simply art; it was an act of defiance. Georgia and Ukraine, both scarred by Russian aggression, have long seen culture as a second battlefield. Katamadze’s emotional delivery and Rachveli’s arrangement reminded the audience that music can be a weapon of memory, identity, and unity.
“I believe music can do a lot – if you have an audience who trusts your sincerity,” Katamadze reflected. “Our presence in Ukraine, our music, and our words are also a message: we tell the story of Georgians supporting Ukrainians.”
Beyond concerts, Katamadze and Rachveli also engage in social programs, visiting clinics, meeting people, and taking part in charity projects. For her, the mission goes beyond music.
“Our presence in Ukraine, our music, and our words are also a message: we tell the story of Georgians supporting Ukrainians. I share with them the rallies on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, and how ordinary Georgians stand with them. This matters greatly. That is why, beyond concerts, we also meet people, talk, and share. This connection – through music and beyond – is very important.”
She noted how people often write to her that they pray for Ukraine’s victory. “I pass this message on. I tell Ukrainians about the rallies and solidarity on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi. It makes a real difference. They always introduce us as “from Sakartvelo (Georgia),” and that matters greatly. That is why, beyond concerts, we also meet people, talk, and share. This connection – through music and beyond – is very important.”