Prague stands as a place where xenophobia and stereotypical judgment of others is not tolerated. That’s the key message of the special Symphony for Humanity concert, which returns for the second time as part of the traditional Prague festival United Islands. On Friday, May 2nd, the island of Štvanice will host performances by singer Pam Rabbit—freshly awarded an Anděl for Song of the Year—alongside musicians Jordan Haj and Emma Smetana, swing singer Jan Smigmator, and many others.
“In a time when society is increasingly divided, we want United Islands to be a symbol of dialogue and European openness to diverse opinions—unless they spread disinformation or hatred. Symphony for Humanity is more than just a concert—it’s a call for humanity, openness, and respect for others, no matter what you believe or the color of your skin,” says David Gaydečka, one of the minds behind the concert’s idea.
The Symphony for Humanity concert is part of the broader Light of Understanding project, which has been connecting people of different faiths, cultures, nationalities, and ethnic backgrounds through music, dance, and art since 2004. From its original performances in the Church of the Holy Spirit and the Spanish Synagogue, the project has expanded to prestigious venues including Prague’s Rudolfinum and Istanbul’s Cemal Reşit Rey Hall. After its debut at United Islands last year, Symphony for Humanity returns once more to present a unique musical evening featuring a wide range of genres—from rap, jazz, pop, and rock to classical and alternative music.
On Friday, May 2nd, several stages will host performances, including Czech-Iranian rapper Sawsane, whose work draws from boom bap, G-funk, crunk, trap, and horrorcore. A highlight promises to be the collaboration between instrumentalists Adam Ben Ezra and Ľubomír Gašpar, known for pushing the boundaries of their instruments. Their set will feature a unique musical dialogue between diverse instruments such as double bass, cimbalom, piano, Armenian kaval, percussion, looper, and electronics. Ridina Ahmedová & Hlaskontrabas Duo will deliver a captivating acoustic set with only their voices, no instruments. Also performing is Dunjingarav, a band originally from Mongolia that plays traditional steppe songs with intricate polyphonic singing. The evening will culminate in a grand joint performance featuring newly crowned Anděl winner Pam Rabbit, swing vocalist Jan Smigmator, and the musical duo Jordan Haj and Emma Smetana. As in the previous year, all artists will be accompanied by the Unique Orchestra, known for its professional interpretations of non-classical genres such as pop, jazz, film music, hip hop, rock, and metal—the only orchestra of its kind in the Czech Republic. The concert will be conducted by Alexey Aslamas.
The special concert is once again organized by the team behind United Islands together with real estate entrepreneur Serge Borenstein.
“The idea for the concert was born out of a need to create a space where people unite despite their differences. After 1989, Prague became my new home, and with this initiative, I wanted to give something back—hope, openness, and understanding,” says Serge Borenstein, initiator of the concert and longtime figure in urban development.
Symphony for Humanity is part of the three-day United Islands festival, running from May 1st to 3rd, offering a showcase of the best emerging talents from both the Czech Republic and abroad. Main stages will be set up not only on Štvanice Island but also at Přístav 18600, near Dva Kohouti in Karlín, and in the Holešovice Market.
