An ethnic festival was held in Odessa to support Lesya Ukrainka Park

The All-Ukrainian Ethno-Festival "WOW ART UKRAINE – Art of Free People" took place on June 13 at the Mozart Hotel.

According to an Intenta correspondent, the festival program was packed.

The organizers stated that the event’s goal was to showcase the diversity of Ukraine’s regions through art, gastronomy, and innovative entrepreneurship. Its mission is to promote Ukrainian culture and art in Ukraine and around the world. The festival’s dress code was Ukrainian ethnic wear or stylish national accents. The festival was attended by 500 guests, including Ukrainian designers, artists, influencers, prominent representatives of the Departments of Culture and Tourism from Vinnytsia and Lutsk, members of the business community, patrons, public figures, and the media.

A special focus of this year’s event was also to support the initiative to improve Lesya Ukrainka Park, where a monument to the outstanding poetess is planned to be erected. There will also be a raffle for prizes in a charity lottery for donations of 200 hryvnias or more.

It is at "WOW ART UKRAINE" that a special premiere will take place—Dmytro Milyutin will present his signature fragrance "LESYA" for the first time, created specifically for the festival and dedicated to Lesya Ukrainka.

The festival featured:

• a guided tour withartist Kateryna Biletina through a one-day exhibition from the "Ukrainian Portrait" series.
• "Embroidering the Victory Towel – A Symbol of National Values," where we embroider yarrow flowers by hand as a symbol of our connection to our homeland, traditions, culture, and way of life.
• A master class with artist Oresta Began: “Create Your Own Amulet Painting.”
• A musical performance by Crimean Tatar artist and singer Aziza Eskender.
• Theatrical performance "When the Mermaids Sing" by SOLITE x Family Dance Studio, based on Lesya Ukrainka’s mystical poem "The Mermaid."
• Performance by ethno-singer and folklorist Galina Kuryshko.
• A large open-air concert by the folk band MELOS.

An interactive zone opened in the city featuring the “Living Bread of Unity” unity ritual, an authentic installation, and a tasting. The central event was a panel discussion titled “The Power of Example: People Who Inspire Action.”

Кирило Бойко