Ukrainian pianist seeks victory on cultural front at contest in Switzerland

Roman Lopatunskyi, 29 years old pianist from Kyiv, poses after an interview with Reuters amid his participation in the Horowitz Competition in Geneva, Switzerland, April 14, 2023. REUTERS/Cecile Mantovani

GENEVA (Reuters) - Before arriving in Geneva for a renowned piano competition, Ukrainian pianist Roman Lopatynskyi rehearsed in the dark and played concerts by candlelight as air raid sirens resounded across his native Kyiv.

The 29-year-old is participating in the International Competition for Young Pianists in Memory of Vladimir Horowitz, which is being held outside Ukraine for the first time since its inception in 1995 due to the Russian invasion.