13th (Saturday) of November, 2021 online from 02:00 till 06:00 p.m. (SAST)

We have prepared for you many interesting meetings, conversations and cultural delicacies – invite family and friends, bring the stream to the big screen and from 14:00 to 18:00 we will dance, sing and have fun together.

For the most active viewers, who will comment, ask questions and actively participate, there will also be surprises from our partners – a FESTIVE DIGITAL BAG full of gifts, discounts and special offers.

Make good memories of this event and check our souvenirs section – hope you can find a unique gift for yourself or friends for this holiday season. Everyone who bought a souvenir gets a FESTIVE DIGITAL BAG as a gift.

Traditionally Svitlana Sheremet, UAZA Vice-President of Culture Projects and Dzvinka Kachur, the Honarary UAZA President will co-host the Festival. Through stories of incredible Ukrainians and friends, we will explore Ukrainian roots, traditions, modern Ukraine and what unites Ukraine and South Africa.

Program 

Reminder: check your local time. 

at 02:00 p.m. | Opening Ceremony

Welcome speech:

Olesya Loubser, The Present of Ukrainian Association of South Africa

Dzvinka Kachur, The Honorary Present of Ukrainian Association of South Africa 

Liubov Abravitova, The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of South Africa

Andre Johannes Groenewald, The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Africa to Ukraine

Nataliya Poshyvaylo-Towler, Regional Vice President of Eastern, South, South-Eastern Asia, Oceania and Africa 

Larysa Kozlovska, Chairman of the Committee on Culture, Interfaith and Interethnic relations, Information policy and Tourism of the Public Council of the Odessa Regional State Administration; Deputy of the NGO “Intellectual Forum”, winner of K. Paustovsky award, winner of Vernadsky award.

at 02:30 p.m. | Ukrainian legacy in South Africa

Chris Taute about Ukrainian museum in Riversdale.

In 2010 in Hessequa Municipality, Riversdale Ukrainian museum was opened where you can see some traditional clothing, cultural artifacts, mural from Crimea and history of Ukrainian-South African cooperation between Hessequa and Voznesensk Municipalities.

Inside the museum there is a beautiful mural of the famous castle in Crimea Swallow’s Nest (Lastivyine Gnizdo) made by late local artist Compion Saayman after his trip to Ukraine. A special place in the museum is a stone of love that was presented by the mayer of Vosnesensk to the museum. As it turned out years of cooperation has led to few successful marriages and now South African-Ukrainian families are living both in Ukraine and South Africa. In March 2015, the mural depicting children from South Africa and Ukraine as well as their home town landscapes was created on one of the walls in the Museum.

at 03:00 p.m. | Ukrainian Art

Oleg Shupliak, a Ukrainian artist that works in different areas of painting. The most famous in the world due to his series of illusions, which author himself calls “Dvozvory” meaning “Doudle vision” or “Double Look”. Oleg is a Member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine since 2000, Awarded the title “Honoured Artist of Ukraine”. His works are I the collections of the National taras Shevchenko museum on Kiev, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine as well as many private collections all over the world. His personal exhibitions were held in different counties, including Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, Poland, Hungary, Thailand and Spain.

at 03:15 p.m. | Ukrainians in South Africa

Dr. Natalia Novikova is a highly skilled gynaecologist and laparoscopic surgeon who has a special interest in urogynaecology and aesthetic gynaecology.She has additional specialities in endoscopic (keyhole or minimally invasive surgery), pelvic floor reconstructions, aesthetic gynaecology and urogynaecology.Dr. Novikova has extensive experience in various settings around the world (Ukraine, Sweden, Australia, UK, and South Africa).She is passionate about the provision of high quality care to women with gynaecological issues and empowering women to make the best health choices for themselves. Dr. Novikova uses a holistic and individualised approach to finding solutions for her patients.She provides services in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Dr. Oleh Matsevych is a Specialist Surgeon with Advanced Laparoscopic and Endoscopic skills.He has special interests in Laparoscopic Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery and Endoscopy, Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hernia Surgery, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and Endoscopy (Weight Loss Procedures), Advanced Endoscopy, and Critical Care.Dr. Oleh Matsevych is actively involved in academic activities and associated with Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU).The main rooms/office is based at Netcare Montana Hospital, Pretoria.

at 03:30 p.m. | Traditional roots through the contemporary dance 

Candice Schafer, South African dancer with Royal Academy of Dance Teachers qualification tells about participation in the interactive performance for children “The Forest” (choreographer Kateryna Aloshyna) based on book “Forest Song” by Lesya Ukrainka.

at 03:45 p.m. | Ukrainian roots through the traditional dance

Oleksii Ishchenko, a professional Ukrainian – South African dancer and has been dancing professionally for most of his life. Oleksii used to dance as part of the Virsky Ballet Company. And since 2013 he has been involved in numerous productions in South Africa.

at 03:55 p.m. | Ukrainians poetry through the cartoon

Watch Ukrainian poetry by Taras Shevchenko in cartoons by The Cultural and Educational Centre “Svitlytsya” (Ukraine).

The centre was founded in 2019 in the town Brovary in Ukraine and specialises in interactive tours “Shevchenko in Brovary” telling the story of this famous poet as he resided in this town. This educational centre organises quests, masterclasses, takes part in local cultural events, as well as creates plasticine cartoons portraying works of Taras Shevchenko, Lesya Ukrainka, Lina Kostenko.

at 04:00 p.m. | Ukrainians music

Victor Pashnyk, Ukrainian artist, musician, a song writer introducing the magnificent instrument “BANDURA”

Dyvyna, a folk band from Donetsk, Eastern Ukraine introducing traditional singing

at 04:40 p.m. | Ukrainians roots – Vyshyvanka

Oksana Polonets, a successful and ambitious Ukrainian designer whose brand has rapidly gained recognition not only in Ukraine but also in more than 30 countries around the world.

at 05:00 p.m. | Ukrainian Art by ANA KUNI

Ana Kuni, a Ukrainian-born artist currently residing in Cape Town.

The main subject of her work is a “Warrior Girl”–a modern human of today, exploring the importance of the wild and nature in today’s human-made society.

at 05:15 p.m. | Ukrainian craft byYulia Glass

at 05:30 p.m. | Ukrainian cinematography

Olga Scherbakova, founder of the International Children’s Film Festival NEXT and coordinator Virtual Film Club together with London Film School.

at 05:55 p.m. | Closing Ceremony

The Festival will start on November 13, 2021, at 02:00 PM  (SAST) live on Facebook page of Ukrainian Association of South Africa. 

Save the date and get ready to experience Ukrainian culture from the comfort and safety of your home.