The “Ukrainian FEST“ festival is organized on the occasion of the National Day of Ukraine, BTA reported. It is held in front of the “Ivan Vazov“ National Theater in Sofia and in the City Garden by the Integration and Educational Center “Ukrainian Vulik“ and the Sofia Municipality. The event began around 4:00 p.m. and will last until 10:00 p.m.
At the festival, Ukrainians present traditional products and crafts from their homeland. Scented candles and soaps, plush toys, knitted dolls and handmade jewelry are some of the things that can be seen and purchased. Products in the colors of the Ukrainian flag are also present.
Seagrass and banana peel hats are part of the work of Irina Sardareva. She told BTA that she has lived in Bulgaria for almost 50 years, where her love for Petar Sardarev brought her. She was a chemistry teacher, and later she started making hats. Today, her husband Petar and her son Georgi help her in her craft. She says that making hats is about self-love. I want to teach Bulgarian women to love themselves more, said Sardareva.
Today, she wishes her homeland peace and love. We are peaceful people and we are brothers with Bulgarians, said the Ukrainian woman. This is a real general's hat, on which I put a Ukrainian wreath and say "No to war", she said, showing one of her hats.
Since the beginning of the war, for the fourth year now, thanks to the Sofia Municipality, we have been marking the day, Yulianna Kulyukina, manager of the Integration and Educational Center "Ukrainian Vulik", told BTA. She moved to Bulgaria in 2016. It is important to bring together Ukrainian refugees and those who came to Bulgaria before the war in one place, to show our culture and our traditions, she pointed out. According to her, the festival is an opportunity to unite both peoples - Ukrainian and Bulgarian.
Ukrainian songs were played at the festival. Dance performances are also part of the event.
From 20:00 to 23:30 today, the central building of the Sofia Municipality will be illuminated in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, the Municipality's press center announced.
On August 24, 1991, the independence of Ukraine was proclaimed by the Supreme Council (parliament). It was confirmed by a referendum held on December 1, 1991, the BTA “Reference“ department reported.