On October 16, 2026, the Polish National Opera presented the world stage premiere of The Mothers of Kherson, an opera by Ukrainian composer Maksym Kolomiiets. The work tells the stories of Ukrainian mothers who crossed occupied territories to bring their children home after they were abducted by Russia.
KSE Foundation supported the artistic project, which brings the stories of Ukrainian mothers to international audiences, raising awareness of Russia’s crimes and Ukraine’s fight to bring abducted children home.
KSE Foundation’s work is guided by the belief that science, education, and the arts create a shared space for understanding the world and driving social change. That is why the Foundation supports artistic projects as part of cultural diplomacy, helping bring the truth about the war to international audiences and drawing attention to the struggle for justice.
The opera follows two Ukrainian mothers on a dangerous journey across several countries and temporarily occupied territories to bring back their children, who were unlawfully taken to Crimea by Russia. The libretto by George Brant is based on real-life testimonies from Ukrainian women who rescued children from occupied territories after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
The opera was commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Polish National Opera. The production was developed in collaboration with the National Opera of Ukraine and Lviv National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, with the support of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture. The production was directed by Barbara Wysocka and conducted by Canadian-American conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson.
In June 2026, the opera was performed in Ukraine for the first time in a concert version. The Kyiv premiere was produced by Halyna Hryhorenko, a KSE alumna, and Sasha Andrusyk, founder of the UHO music agency.
The American stage premiere of The Mothers of Kherson is scheduled for the 2027–2028 season at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.