On November 3, 2026, cabaret artist Lars Reichow is organizing a major solidarity event titled “Mainz Stands with Ukraine—and Continues to Help!” at the Electoral Palace in Mainz. There, we will also screen an 8-minute excerpt from “Seven Circles of Hell” and then announce a suitable theater release date in January 2027.
The program:
This charity event is being held at Mainz Castle for the fifth time. Concept and hosting: Lars Reichow
Four and a half years of war in Ukraine—and there’s no end in sight. Here in the Rhine-Main region, the city of Mainz and its surrounding area remain undeterred: “Mainz Understands Ukraine” aims to raise funds once again to provide on-the-ground assistance. For the fifth time, Mainz-based cabaret artist Lars Reichow and the Ukrainian Association of Mainz are hosting a major benefit event at the Electoral Palace. Admission is—as always—free, and there is no limit on the amount of your donation.
Information, Perspectives, and Entertainment—that’s the theme of this series. Among those who have already confirmed their participation this time is Serhij Zhadan, the well-known Ukrainian writer and recipient of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade. As always, the evening will feature a mix of journalistic and artistic presentations.
“Culture is identity. It connects people in a special way, offers comfort, and instills courage and a zest for life in these terrible times,” says Lars Reichow. “We want to build a European bridge of defense into Ukraine.”
The first four events were a great success. In total, donations totaling well over 350,000 euros were collected, which will benefit the Ukrainian Association of Mainz e.V. This dedicated and highly reputable organization purchases life-saving pressure bandages for wounded soldiers, helps children whose parents were killed in the war, and purchases vehicles for transporting the wounded.
“It’s an evening dedicated to our homeland. We’re thinking of our families back home during the war and hoping that the horror will soon come to an end. But it’s also an evening for Mainz. We want to show something beautiful that we’ve created,” says Maryana Boyko-Kempski of the Ukrainian Association of Mainz e.V.
This series of events was launched by Lars Reichow in collaboration with the Ukrainian Association of Mainz and many donors following the first year of the war in 2023. All participants and the entire organizing team are volunteering their time for this event and contributing to the project’s success. The City of Mainz and Mainz Plus are valuable partners in this benefit event. We hope to once again secure the proven triple patronage of the Minister President of Rhineland-Palatinate, the President of the Rhineland-Palatinate State Parliament, and the Mayor of Mainz.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.; the event begins at 7:00 p.m. Duration: approximately 1.5 hours, with no intermission
Following the program, a small Ukrainian market will take place in the vaulted cellar of the Electoral Palace. Refreshments will be provided.