As Europe turns its attention to the colossal task of rebuilding Ukraine, the emphasis has largely been placed on physical infrastructure such as roads, hospitals and housing. Yet the deeper challenge lies in restoring a fractured social fabric. For Ukraine’s long-term stability, arts and culture must be elevated from a luxury to a central component of reconstruction policy. Music offers a powerful case study of how culture can cultivate social cohesion, resilience and democratic values. In the corridors of Brussels and Kyiv, aid packages often prioritise tangible deliverables. But culture, and music in particular, should be seen as social infrastructure rather than decoration. Music bridges linguistic divides, heals trauma and reweaves the bonds between communities fractured by conflict. The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education and Culture and UNESCO are well positioned to provide leadership in this area. Embedding culture into recovery plans would transform it from...