Ukrainian art studio “MRIJA”

Ukrainian art studio “MRIJA”. A brief overview of activities in 2023

The Ukrainian art studio “MRIJA” (Tallinn) resumed its work at the end of 2023 after a long break under the leadership of Oleksandr Smirnov and launched and carried out the following projects:

1. The project “Dreamers. Cookies of Kindness”. 

This project brought together Ukrainian children and soldiers, weaving their hearts into a shared Christmas story of hope, kindness and faith in miracles. 

Children from the Ukrainian song and dance group “Volya”, who usually express themselves through dance, became part of a big “Harry Potter” fairy tale in which everyone had a role and a chance to work wonders. Using magical ingredients, they baked special cookies that bring joy and happy predictions. Into every cookie the children put their warm wishes and predictions for Ukrainian soldiers undergoing rehabilitation in Estonia. And on that same magical evening the soldiers received not only cookies but also a huge portion of love, warmth and hope from Ukrainian children.

2. The short musical film “Angel of Christmas”. 

A world-famous Ukrainian song was translated into Estonian and a music video was made showing Estonian and Ukrainian Christmas traditions.

The film features the world-famous Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells) by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych. Most importantly, Shchedryk is sung in Estonian for the first time, performed by both young and adult Ukrainians! The little Angel of Christmas asks God for peace and harmony in every family and firmly believes that as long as Shchedryk is heard and carols are sung, spring will surely come, peace will surely come, and the swallows will return to Estonia and to Ukraine.