Norwich Theatre recently had the privilege and honour of welcoming the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine for the final performance of their 2023 UK tour.

This 16 city tour represented a bold and brave act of cultural defiance against many odds. While events in the Middle East might dominate headlines, we must not forget that the war in Ukraine is still ongoing and it continues to have a dramatic effect on many lives there.

It was such a humbling experience to meet members of the 83-strong orchestra. 

After the concert on Sunday, Norwich Theatre came together with fellow cultural organisations across Norwich to co-host a supper for the orchestra and other Ukrainian guests in Norfolk.

This was done in the spirit of friendship and solidarity on the eve of their return to Ukraine where many will then put down their instruments again and either take up war work or, in some cases, take up arms.

This timeless notion of breaking bread together was made possible through contributions from Creative Arts East, The Forum, The Garage, National Centre for Writing, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Norwich Arts Centre, and Norwich Theatre, who all share a commitment to ensuring Norwich and Norfolk will always be places of welcome and free cultural exchange.

From talking to the musicians I learned that most of the orchestra have remained in Kyiv since the war started and have recently been giving smaller-scale performances.

Ticket capacity is now limited to around 150 people in their large concert hall because only 200 people can fit in the air raid shelter under the building.

When the siren goes off, the audience, orchestra members and building staff move to the shelter, where the violinists play Bach sonatas and other solo music to the audience while they wait until it's safe to come out.

I am simply in awe of such resilience.

The evening not only celebrated the rich musical culture of Ukraine but also our own culture of giving sanctuary here in Norfolk as well.

The fine city of Norwich has a well-earned reputation as a City of Sanctuary. This was first articulated in 1567 as it was described as a city that embraced 'Strangers' who were originally refugees from the Low Countries fleeing persecution in their own lands.

Hundreds of years later, the message has not changed.

Norfolk has well and truly thrown its arms around those fleeing Ukraine and I am honoured that we, as a Theatre of Sanctuary, have been able to play a small part in this.

We were pleased to welcome around 150 Ukrainian guests to the concert and many of those who have generously welcomed Ukrainian visitors into their homes. It was fantastic to also platform the work of the Dereham Ukraine Aid Centre whose work has been instrumental in welcoming many hundreds of Ukrainians to Norfolk and supporting both them and their hosts to provide much needed sanctuary.

Through the amazing generosity of our audiences on the evening we also raised more than £2,500 to support their work as they become a fully registered charity.

The whole event prompted me to consider again how creativity and creative spaces play a vital role in bringing people together, building understanding, and stemming the tide of division.

As Ian Odgers, co-founder of the Dereham Ukraine Aid Centre so beautifully put it, "a smile is a smile in any language".

It was an evening united by smiling faces.

Stephen Crocker is chief executive and creative director of Norwich Theatre