Green Pilot Tours

Denmark · Sweden · Poland | 3–6 September 2025

Tour dates & venues
- 3 September – El Mundo, Aalborg (DK)
- 4 September – Ukraine House, Copenhagen (DK)
- 5 September – Free Spirit Festival, Gothenburg (SE)
- 6 September – Svitlo Concert, Warsaw (PL)

The Ruslan Bolatov Trio Green Pilot Tour was initiated by the Ukrainian Institute and realised in collaboration with EJN members JAZZ9TUS and Göteborg Artist Center (GAC) / Knutpunkt. Taking place across Denmark, Sweden and Poland, the tour brought together Ukrainian musicians for a first-time collaboration, resulting in a newly created programme presented to international audiences.

Led by pianist and composer Ruslan Bolatov, the project featured bassist Mykola Kisteniov, drummer Oleksandr Murenko, and special guest sound artist Insomnia Taxxi (Iryna Novikova). Beyond the concerts themselves, the tour functioned as a platform for artistic exchange, networking and collaboration, with jam sessions and informal meetings involving local musicians in Aalborg and Gothenburg.

Sustainability was a central element of the project from the outset. The tour was designed to prioritise train and other low-emission transport, deliberately avoiding short flights wherever possible. This approach was highlighted by local organisers at the beginning of each concert, helping audiences connect the artistic programme with broader conversations around greener touring models and responsible cultural mobility.

Communication around the tour was carried out jointly by the Ukrainian Institute and its local partners through websites, newsletters and social media, ensuring strong visibility both locally and internationally. This coordinated effort helped underline the tour’s dual focus on artistic quality and sustainability.

Organising the tour also came with significant challenges. Due to wartime conditions and border-crossing regulations, changes to the band line-up became necessary after the initial application, requiring flexibility and rapid adaptation. Logistical complexity increased further with the decision to travel overland across multiple countries, demanding careful coordination of schedules and connections. Despite these obstacles, the collaboration with experienced local partners proved essential in keeping the tour on track.

The experience confirmed that sustainable international touring is possible even under complex circumstances, provided there is strong cooperation, clear communication and a shared commitment to both artistic and environmental values. For the Ukrainian Institute and its partners, the Green Pilot Tour offered not only visibility for Ukrainian jazz during a difficult period, but also valuable insights into how sustainable touring practices can be further developed and shared across the European jazz community.

Social media
https://www.instagram.com/p/DNnahjCsAGn
https://x.com/UA_Institute/status/1958213636385800317
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1320421013418963&set=gm.4562478667311901&idorvanity=4522165904676511
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=769077509310329&set=a.111256301759123
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1366032278856206&set=a.527824112677031
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOLRWtWCFEH
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOBV3lzjDA3
https://www.knutpunkt.com/calendar/ruslan-bolatov-trio-green-pilot-tour