McCartney announces massive, free Ukraine concert
Last Updated: Thursday, April 24, 2008 | 12:56 PM ET
CBC News
Paul McCartney will play the free concert in Kiev and kick off an exhibit of his artwork at a contemporary art gallery in the Ukrainian capital. (Associated Press)Hundreds of thousands of music fans are expected to descend on Kiev this June for a free outdoor concert by Paul McCartney.
The former Beatle and Ukrainian tycoon Victor Pinchuk jointly announced on Thursday an event they have billed the Independence Concert, slated for Kiev's Independence Square on June 14.
The show will also be broadcast across the country.
"It's going to be [a] great evening hopefully for the Ukraine. Pull together, groove, rock 'n' roll — all together," McCartney said in a statement.
"For the first time, we have the opportunity to hear the songs that changed the world and created a new culture," added Pinchuk.
A wealthy businessman who made his fortune in steel, Pinchuk is the son-in-law of former Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma and founder of a namesake charitable foundation that supports social issues ranging from health care to human rights.
The concert will "promote happiness, freedom, love and peace not only in the Ukraine but also to the entire world," organizers said.
Coinciding with the concert, the Pinchuk Art Centre will mount a show featuring 40 of McCartney's paintings, with the singer to personally open the exhibition in Kiev.
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