Celebration of Ukrainian culture at The Folk of Gloucester

This festival celebrates the amazing culture and traditions in Ukraine and includes art exhibitions, photography, music, dance, drama, craft workshops, music workshops and much more.

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Concert highlights include the Kozachky Choir from Bristol, the opera singer Ohla Hornyck, the player of rare Ukrainian instruments Kobzar Jurij Fedenskyi and the bandura players, the Kalianova sister.  In dance, there will be the Sunflowers Wales, a traditional Ukrainian dance group from Swansea. Another highlight will be the “Untold Stories” youth drama, which first premiered at the Everyman in Cheltenham, in which nine teenagers tell their story of leaving Ukraine and starting a new life in the UK.

There are exhibitions of photography, art and crafts. There are workshops for singing, dancing, playing the bandura (traditional Ukrainian instrument), egg painting and doll making.  And, on the 20^{th of} April, a Ukrainian craft market. There will be real ale and locally sourced food, including borscht, the Ukrainian soup, at the Folk of Gloucester Cafe.

Entry to most events is free. However, workshops and some concerts have entry by ticket only. Tickets are priced very low to make the event accessible to as many people as possible, especially to Ukrainian refugees living in Gloucester. However, donations to Ukrainian charities and towards the upkeep of the Folk of Gloucester will be very welcome.

Gareth Jayne, Gloucester Civic Trust Trustee and Chairman of The Folk Committee: “Come and join us for a great day out. We aim to provide something for everyone: song, dance, drama and workshops. Relax in our Tudor Garden with a beer or a cuppa and listen and watch it all happen.”

Said Robin Burton, a volunteer at the Folk of Gloucester: “This festival aims to introduce the people of Gloucester to the incredible richness of Ukrainian culture. It also aims to give refugees from the conflict in Ukraine, the opportunity to get together and be proud of their own culture. It also aims to provide everyone with as much joy as possible.”