The Russian full scale war against Ukraine is the game-changer on many levels. In Eastern Europe’s countries the effects of the war are i.a. record levels of inflation, energy- and housing crisis and the influx of millions of war refugees. These dynamic events are changing the music markets of the region and among them the world music market. How do the Festivals implement new strategies to survive? How are the artists reflecting the current struggles in their art ? How did the public debate and cultural life changed after 24th February 2022? What are the perspectives for international collaboration in the region in the future?