Celebrating Ivana Kupala in an English city
Last year, lost and broken, forced to leave our country
because of the war, devastated, but still willing to save
our traditions, a group of newly arrived Ukrainian
refugees organized a festival, with the help of local
people, that turned out to be such a special thing for
everybody. Together we sang, danced, taught you how to
make Ukrainian crafts, wore flower crowns, played old
Ukrainian games and had so much fun. You came to support
us and we were there to share our culture with you and to
say 'thank you' for your support. Our refugee kids, far
from their homeland, had a chance to forget about the war
and be a part of something they always knew and loved; our
diaspora kids who never celebrated Kupala in Ukraine were
able to learn about the culture of their country of
origin; local people learned about our traditions and
celebrated with us.
Vladyslava Bondar, Kupala festival organiser, 2023
Ivana Kupala 2022
Brighton's first Ivana Kupala festival was held in
Preston Park on 10 July 2022. It brought together the
city's newly-forming Ukrainian community, their hosts
and other local supporters, and Ukrainian refugees
dispersed around towns and villages across Sussex.
Ivana Kupala 2023
The second Brighton Kupala festival took place in
Preston Park once again, on Sunday 9 July. It was as
wonderful as last year's, if not more so.
The communities
The Ukrainian communities of Brighton and Sussex are
continuing to strengthen and develop. More than 500
Ukrainians have come to live in the city of Brighton &
Hove under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Their
organisation, Stand for
Ukraine Brighton & Hove, works tirelessly
for Ukrainians in the city and people in Ukraine – in
2023, it sent more than 16 tons of aid to the country. It
works closely with other local organisations, including Adur
Ukraine Support and Best Foot Music,
as well with Brighton & Hove City Council.