On 18th of January, 2025, at 12.00pm, people began gathering at St. Peter’s Church in the heart of Hereford. They came to attend The International Arts Festival UKRAЇNE dedicated to Ukraine’s Unity Day. For the event organizers, Alla Mihai and Sandra Zhukova, this was far from their first festival. Back in Ukraine, they had organized many similar events, making this a familiar task for them.
Before the war, Alla worked as the chief editor of music programs for the first national channel of Ukrainian television and was also the author and host of the popular children’s show “Good Night, Kids!” Sandra worked at the leading news channel “Ukraine24”, and at festivals such as “Vyshyvanka” and many others. Alla directed numerous TV, film, and music festivals, as well as state celebrations and concerts.
The idea to hold a large-scale creative event was supported by Andy Morgan, Andy Dodwell, Tom Milton, and Geri Miller. They formed a team of like-minded individuals, later joined by Ronnie Wilkie, who became a sponsor, contributing donations and gifts, including his book of children’s poetry, Faerie Tales.
The festival featured several categories: music (classical, modern, and folk), dramatic readings, visual arts, and choreography. The main condition was the inclusion of Ukrainian themes and the use of the Ukrainian language. The event boasted over 160 participants, both adults and children. St. Peter’s Church was packed to capacity, with more than 300 visitors attending throughout the day. Some stood as there weren’t enough chairs for everyone eager to experience the inspiration brought by Ukrainian artists from all over the UK.
Artists from London, Cardiff, Birmingham, Bristol, Gloucester, Malvern, and, of course, Hereford gathered to showcase their talents. Eight visual artists presented an exhibition that demonstrated the high level of contemporary Ukrainian art.
The audience warmly welcomed performances by the “Shchedryk” choir and its conductor Ala Postolatii from Gloucester, singer Yuliia Shokolenko from Chepstow, the duo Hanna Harnyk and Hanna Bashkina from London and Kent, flutist Oleksandr Zhuravel from Cardiff, the dance ensemble
“Mriya” from Birmingham, the “Vyshyvanochka” group from Worcester, and many others.
(Hanna Bashkina, in early 2022, endured two months in a basement during the occupation of Mariupol. She eventually saved herself and her child, moving to Kent.)
Our beloved children from the Ukrainian school in Malvern, the Demirtash sisters’ duo from Chester, little Yeva Kovshova, Yeva Krenets, and the lively “Kozachata” group from Hereford left a bright, unforgettable impression. The hall erupted with applause, and many audience members couldn’t hold back tears as they recalled their hometowns and villages in Ukraine, now either destroyed or occupied by Russian forces.
Special thanks to our volunteers: Tetiana, Oleksandr, and Mykola Garmash, Tetiana and Serhii Artemenko, Olena Marchenko, Olena and Yelyzaveta Krylach, Maryna Shevchenko*, Mariia Makhno and Volodymyr Kryvobok, Nataliia Drymalyk, John and Jenny Litchfield, Mark and Valerie Warner, who were always by the side of the organizers and participants. (*A special mention goes to Maryna Shevchenko, who lived for an entire year under occupation in Nova Kakhovka. She witnessed the tragedy of a bomb hitting her apartment, killing her friend. Yet, Marina managed to escape and eventually made her way to Hereford through occupied territories, bringing her beloved 20 years old cat Leva with her. Hereford has now become her new home.)
A heartfelt thank you to Fiona Rawlinson (Hereford Guild of Guides) for the fascinating tours around our picturesque city.
For five hours, the festive mood was maintained by the always cheerful and welcoming hosts, Alla and Sandra. Composer Alla Mihai not only presented five of her wonderful songs but also supported instrumentalists and vocalists by accompanying them on the piano.
On 18th January, our city was uplifted by a wave of kindness and joy that came from Ukraine, thanks to the support of St. Peter’s Church, the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, the Hereford City Council, and everyone involved in the creation of the First International Arts Festival “UKRAЇNE” in the UK!
Singing Circle Cardiff says: “Singing Circle Cardiff extends heartfelt gratitude for the incredibly high level of organization and execution of the International Arts Festival UKRAЇNE.
Alla Mihai, Sandra Zhukova, and the entire festival team: your work created perfect conditions, with technical details thought through meticulously, and everything ran like clockwork.
Special thanks to Alla Mihai for her wonderful musical accompaniment, which added a unique atmosphere, and for her sincere smiles that inspired every participant. You created a true celebration for the soul far from home!
We are grateful for the warm welcome, refreshments, and fascinating tour of Hereford, which left an unforgettable impression. All of this created a sense of comfort, harmony, and professionalism.
Thank you to the entire team for your cohesive work and for making this festival so special for us. We hope for future meetings and new projects!”
