Leopolis Jazz Fest

one of the best European festivals

Leopolis Jazz Fest is an international jazz
festival that takes place every year in an open-air
format in June in Lviv (Ukraine). The first
festival was successfully held in 2011. Concerts
with the participation of more than a hundred
musicians on three stages in the city, more than
100,000 spectators, about 200 accredited
journalists are the history of Leopolis Jazz Fest.
 The festival takes place on three stages:

the main festival a stage on the central a stage in a historic

stage in the Bohdan square of the city: part of the city:
Khmelnytskyi Culture Rynok Square Pototski Palace square
Park
In addition to concerts of jazz musicians from
around the world, the festival also hosts jam
sessions, master-classes and autograph sessions
with global jazz stars.
An annual awards ceremony, "Leopolis Jazz Music
Awards" is held during gala concert of the festival
in Lviv. These awards are established to honour the
artists who have made significant contribution to
the development of jazz music. The winner is
selected by a wide range of experts, including
music critics, prominent culture persons, public and
government officials, journalists and entrepreneurs
from different countries.
The first International jazz festival Alfa
Jazz Fest was held in Lviv on June 3–5,
2011.
In 2012, for the first time, there was an
award ceremony. In 2012 the prize was
awarded to John McLaughlin, the
legendary British guitarist, playing jazz-
fusion.
In 2013 Award was presented to Charlie
Haden — one of the most famous
American jazz musicians and composers,
four time Grammy Award winner.

In 2014 The last days' concerts of

the festival was canceled due to
the announced all-Ukrainian
mourning for the perished
Ukrainian militaries in the east of
the country.
In 2015 more than 100 musicians from 10 countries (Germany, Austria, the USA, Japan, Sweden, Cuba,
France, Poland and Ukraine) performed in Lviv during five festival days. The winner of the International
Music Award «Alfa Jazz Fest Awards» became Herbie Hancock, American jazz pianist and composer, 14-
time Grammy Award winner, one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century. The awarding
ceremony was traditionally held during the festival in Lviv.
The 6th International jazz festival Alfa Jazz Fest was
held on June 24–28, 2016 in Lviv. Traditionally the best
jazz performers of the United States, Europe and
Ukraine performed at the three stages in the center of
Lviv.

Traditionally, in 2017 a wide geography of

participants was presented: bands from
Austria, Great Britain, Israel, Spain, Italy,
Cuba, Germany, Luxembourg, USA, Poland,
Turkey, Ukraine, France, the Czech Republic,
Switzerland, and Sweden participated in the
festival. In total for 5 days the festival was
attended by more than 200 musicians from 15
countries worldwide.
Also master classes, photo exhibitions, jazz
film shows and jams sessions were held within
the Alfa Jazz Fest 2017.
From 27 June to 1 July 2018, the 8th International
Leopolis Jazz Fest took place in Lviv. More than 170
musicians from 16 countries around the world
performed on three city stages in Lviv over 5 days.
Over the past few years, organising concerts by popular
Ukrainian musicians on Constitution Day in Ukraine has
become a festival tradition. As part of Leopolis Jazz
Fest 2018, the ONUKA band performed on 28 June on
the Rynok Square stage.
Master classes, numerous jam sessions, and film
screenings of rare videos and jazz films were
presented for festival visitors.
On 26–30 June 2019, Lviv hosted the 9th International
Jazz Festival Leopolis Jazz Fest. About 300 musicians
from 15 countries gave their performances on the
stages of Leopolis Jazz Fest during 5 days.
The performance of well-known Canadian singer and
pianist Diana Krall, who came to Ukraine for the first
time, became a sensation for the festival guests.
The guests traditionally watched a very intense
program: a souvenirs fair, entertainments for children
with an interactive zone, workshops and a carousel,
food courts, as well as concerts of street music festival
winners.
Leopolis Jazz Fest 2020 has been postponed until 2021.
The X anniversary of the Festival was scheduled for
25–29 June 2020 in Lviv. The decision to postpone the
festival was made due to the large-scale spread of
COVID-19.
The 10th Leopolis Jazz Fest took place on June 24–28,
2021. During five days, about 200 musicians from 18
countries of the world performed on the stages of the
Leopolis Jazz Fest.

The festival was held in compliance with all quarantine

measures: the number of guests in the parterre and
picnic areas was significantly reduced; to control the
number of people, the entrance to the picnic areas was
carried out with tickets with a symbolic price; all
festival guests who bought tickets, as well as musicians,
the organizing committee and contractors underwent
mandatory testing for coronavirus.
The largest picnic area was traditionally located on the
territory of the Yunist stadium in the Bohdan
Khmelnytsky park.

During the festival, master classes for musicians and

listeners were traditionally held in Lviv at the Mykola
Lysenko Lviv National Music Academy.
Thanks for attention!