Ukrainian choir sang in King Charles IIIʼs Christmas address

On Christmas Day, members of the “Songs for Ukraine” choir performed for millions of viewers at the end of the annual address by King Charles III of Great Britain. The Royal Christmas Address traditionally remains one of the most popular television programs of the festive period in Britain.

The choir’s performance, recorded at Westminster Abbey, was a new arrangement of Carol of the Bells, created by composer Simon Goh. This world-famous tune is based on “Shchedryk” by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych.

Soloists were Olha Terletska and Arina Koroletska. The performance also featured the Royal Opera Chorus, Royal Harpist Mared Pugh-Evans, and military musicians from the Royal Air Force Regiment, the Royal Marines, and the Guards Division.

“It is a great honour for our choir to be part of the King’s Christmas address. Our choir remains a powerful voice for the Ukrainian community in the UK, many of whom have been forced to flee their homes by the war,” said Bohdan Paraschak, musical director and principal conductor of the “Songs for Ukraine” choir.

"We express our deep gratitude to Britain for all its support, especially at Christmas — a time of kindness, compassion and hope. As Ukraine nears the end of its fourth year of full-scale war, and peace remains elusive, moments like these help to remind us that Ukraine has not been forgotten and that the ties between the UK and Ukraine remain strong."

Through the beauty of Ukrainian music, we are once again convinced that even in the darkest times, light can shine, bringing hope, resilience, and joy during the Christmas season.

About "Songs for Ukraine"

The choir was founded in the spring of 2023 by the British Royal Opera House in response to Russiaʼs full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The group brings together Ukrainians living in the UK — from professional singers to beginners, many of whom were forced to leave Ukraine by the war.

Under the direction of Bohdan Paraschak, the choir has performed on leading stages, including the Royal Opera House, St. Paulʼs Cathedral, the London Palladium and Southwark Cathedral. In 2025, the choir members performed at the Community Music Makers reception at Windsor Castle, attended by King Charles III.

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