A celebration of Ukrainian culture and art

(International festival “Flowers of Ukraine – 2023”)

Bright, talented, incredible children and unforgettable performances: on 3 June “Flowers of Ukraine 2023”, the International Festival of Children’s and Youth Creativity, took place 

Last Saturday a great celebration of Ukrainian art and culture unfolded on the stage of Kaja Cultural Centre! The day was truly special both for the children and teenagers taking part and for the adults. We are sure there was no one who did not feel the warmth and sincerity of the vocalists’ heartfelt singing and the power and talent of the dance groups. 

The festival “Flowers of Ukraine 2023” began with a minute of silence in memory of the children killed as a result of armed aggression in Ukraine.

“While the whole world thinks about how to protect children, on 1 June children were killed in Kyiv… Putin and his accomplices bombed Kyiv and other peaceful cities of Ukraine. Yesterday, today and perhaps tomorrow our children will die because of the war. The world must respond to Russia’s crimes, the world must support Ukraine so that this war ends sooner and our children have a bright and happy future. Today Russia has stolen our children’s childhood; every day it kills our children… so I want to begin this festival with a minute of silence in memory of the children who have died in this war..,” said Volodymyr Palamar, Chairman of the Association of Ukrainian Organisations in Estonia, addressing the festival guests.

The opening was attended by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Estonia (Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia) Mariana Betsa, who stressed the importance of punishing Russia’s political and military leadership, Putin and all those involved in the mass murder and genocide of the Ukrainian people, thanked Estonia and the Estonian people for their all-round support and wished everyone Ukraine’s victory:

“About 75,000 Ukrainian citizens are now temporarily in Estonia. We are endlessly grateful to Estonia for supporting Ukrainian families and children, as well as for the weapons and financial and political support we receive for our victory. I want to wish all of us, first of all, Ukraine’s victory and faith in our state and our victory – it comes at a very high price. The price of freedom is extremely high, but we must hold on. So I wish each of you strength, inspiration, health and safety for you and your loved ones – both here and those in Ukraine.”

“We often say that children are our future, but in fact children are our present,” said Father Roman Kikh, pastor for Ukrainian Greek Catholics in Estonia, who blessed the children and festival guests. “Because the investment in development, upbringing, and building awareness and one’s identity is made in little children. I sincerely thank all the teachers who work so persistently with children and give their love, warmth and time so that children grow and learn. May the merciful Lord send His blessing on our children, on everyone here and on all our loved ones in different parts of our dear mother Ukraine and in other countries. I wish you a festive mood today, and the children singing so loud it can be heard all the way to Ukraine!”
We sincerely thank all the festival participants who gave us great pleasure with the gala concert: 

• Maire Eliste Music School, conductor Maire Eliste
• Tallinn Kanutiaia Hobby School pop singing group Un Canto, led by Maria Kondratjeva
• Ukrainian song and dance ensemble “Volya”. Artistic director – Yevhen Novokhatnii, chief choreographer – Anastasiia Kozachok, head of the vocal group – Hanna Verner
• Instrumental ensemble “Melodiia”. Artistic director Ivan Shchoholiev
• Ukrainian Sunday school “Vodohrai”. Artistic director Svitlana Stashkevych
• Vocal studio “Karamel”. Artistic director Yana Balakina
• Ukrainian Sunday school “Nadiia”. Artistic director Liudmyla Hramiak
• Vocal ensemble of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Estonia. Artistic director Khrystyna Hasii
• Dance ensemble “Kolor”. Artistic director Nina Hets
• Ensemble “Kalyna”, Valga. Artistic director Ruslana Dovha
• Vocalist Kateryna Chernat
• Vocalist Yana Lysenko

We thank the Estonian Ministry of Culture (Kultuuriministeerium), the Integration Foundation (Integratsiooni Sihtasutus) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for supporting the festival!

We thank the organising committee of “Flowers of Ukraine 2023” and its coordinator Yevhen Novokhatnii, chief choreographer Anastasia Kozachok and everyone involved in organising the event!

We thank the hosts of the event, Tetiana Klymenko and Luka Klymenko!

We thank Kultuurikeskus Kaja for its hospitality!

We thank O.Z.Company – Work in Estonia, with its team of professional recruiters whose mission is to help people find good jobs with decent pay and excellent working conditions, for supporting the festival.

We thank our sponsors, the brands “Tere!”, “A. Le Coq” and “Bambino”, for their support and sweet gifts for the participants.

We thank the event photographer: Jeliva Photography.

For more photos, see the album on our page (please credit the photographer if you publish a photo: JELIVA PHOTOGRAPHY)

Special thanks to you, dear festival guests – parents, friends, relatives and everyone who came to support the performers and the development of Ukrainian culture and art! 

See you next time!