A CONCERT in aid of Ukrainian communities is set to go ahead in nearby Stirling next month.

HSTAR Scotland will host the gig at Stirling’s Mayfield Community Centre on Friday, September 23, looking to use culture and music as a way to help people heal and recover.

The concert is hoping to engage residents from a range of cultural backgrounds including African, Chinese, Romanian, Scottish and Ukrainian communities.

It will be one of nine multicultural events launched by BEMIS Scotland, Scotland on Tour and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, each supported by a grant of £5,000.

Rami Ousta, chief executive at BEMIS Scotland, said: “BEMIS strongly believes that our multicultural heritage in Scotland continues to offer a cherished platform to showcase our active citizenship and inclusive national identity as equal Scottish citizens.

“We are definitely committed to enhancing and nourishing our collaborative relationships with the Scotland on Tour and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to facilitate and progress equal participation of the diverse communities regularly for the coming years.”

HSTAR Scotland, also known as Healed Scars Trauma and Abuse Recovery, is organising the concert in aid of Ukrainian communities to build their resilience, togetherness and sense of belonging.

The events page for the concert added: “We cannot forget about the real Ukrainian nature, they are people who love to gather, sing and dance until sunrise.

“At HSTAR we believe that being the real you and utilising pain and upsets through culture activities has a magic power and very healing approach.”

Performers will include Roma musicians, Chinese visual artists, AfroBeat singers, a Syrian musician, a Ukrainian violinist, pianist, saxophonist, guitarist and singer, as well as Pakistani artists.

Event organisers added: “There will also be a special time for our guest speakers to share their experiences of how art and creativity have helped them to build resilience in the new place, which is Scotland.

“We will not forget to mention about the wonderful Scottish culture heritage, which is well recognised around the globe, which is a real-life evidence for respecting equality and diversity.”

Visit bit.ly/3Klregf for more details and tickets.