This winter, renowned harpist and composer Alexander Boldachev embarks on his Christmas Truce Tour, presenting his latest album, War and Peace, designed by legendary Italian designer Barnaba Fornasetti. Inspired by the spirit of Christmas Truce 1914, this tour stands as an artistic call for peace, understanding, and unity in today’s divided world. This one-month marathon across over fifteen cities invites diverse audiences to reflect on resilience, cultural heritage, and the power of music to heal and unite.

Boldachev’s background speaks to the complex realities of modern identity. Born in the USSR, raised in Russia, and now a Swiss citizen, he carries a blend of Belarusian, Ukrainian, Latvian, Finnish, and Jewish heritage. This unique background, Swiss mentality, and European values shaped his artistic vision and fuelled his dedication to cultural preservation. Boldachev’s deep connection to Russian music — his classical foundation — drives him to safeguard Russian culture from exploitation by political forces, reminding audiences that art belongs to humanity, not propaganda.

“The Christmas Truce Tour is a response to our fractured times,” says Boldachev. “It’s about bringing people together, transcending political divides, and finding common ground during the time of great changes.” The program draws on works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Stravinsky, Mussorgsky, Ukrainian Christmas carols, and Alexander’s own composition, blending familiar classics with new tunes. The carefully curated musical story creates a journey from loneliness and loss to resilience and hope, with each concert ending on an optimistic note with Queen and Nirvana solo harp renditions.

Throughout the tour, Boldachev will engage audiences in dialogue, incorporating poetry, stories, and reflections on his journey as an artist shaped by multiple homelands and cultural upheavals. He views each performance as an open conversation, a chance for audiences of all ages and backgrounds to ask questions, share their thoughts, and join a collective networking, looking for a joint future.

In every city, Boldachev will be joined by a local collaborator — whether a singer, dancer, or instrumentalist—to offer a unique, site-specific dimension to each performance. These collaborations highlight his belief in the power of human connection across disciplines and borders. Supporters of Boldachev’s message include artists, political figures, and humanitarians, creating an audience as diverse and multi-faceted as his music. With their engagement, the Christmas Truce Tour becomes not just a concert series, but a movement for change.

After a decade of multidisciplinary education at the Zurich Academy of Arts, Alexander worked at Zurich’s Opernhaus and the Bolshoi Theatre, performed in over 40 countries, conquering renowned venues like Carnegie Hall, Salle Gaveau, Tchaikovsky Hall, and at festivals such as Gstaad, Davos, Tsinandali, Mozart+, and even Burning Man. Alexander specializes in the classical crossover genre, engaging in performing, conducting, and producing a range of projects — from high classical programs like Bach250Pärt and Vivaldi’s Seasons to game, rock, and film music, often performed with chamber and symphonic orchestras worldwide.Tour Schedule:

23.11 – Milan
28.11 – Gdańsk
29.11 – Warsaw
01.12 – Berlin
02.12 – Hamburg
03.12 – Cluj
04.12 – Arad
06.12 – Belgrade
08.12 – Paris
10.12 – Tbilisi
11.12 – Yerevan
12.12 – Barcelona
13.12 – Valencia
15.12 – Prague
17.12 – Zurich
18.12 – London
22.12 – Riga

Each concert allows attendees to purchase Boldachev’s album War and Peace, available on CD and vinyl, as a reminder of this profound experience. The album captures his journey’s essence, blending classical masterpieces with new works that evoke a timeless message of peace and resilience.