The weekend in Richmond, Illinois, was filled with a festive atmosphere of holiday warmth, carols and joy. The community gathered at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary to celebrate Christmas in the best Ukrainian tradition. The two-day festival, titled "Carols in Richmond," provided visitors with an unforgettable experience.
This was reported by Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church.
The festival began with a liturgy at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Talented artists took part in the festive program, including Tetiana Baryliak, Khrystyna Hrytsenko, Yuriy Yaremchuk, Natalia Gladyn, Vita Kotyk, Snizhana Putsil, MelaViki and Creative Kids, and many others.
The audience enjoyed live performances of traditional carols and nativity scenes presented by the Prykarpatsky, Ethnos, Vyshyvanka, Oberig, Svashky, Good Evening We Are From Ukraine, as well as the Crystal Lake Family Nativity Players and the Church of the Intercession in Chicago.
Other choirs and ensembles also participated, including the Bohdan Plashchuk Church Choir of the Immaculate Conception Church in Palatine, the parishioners of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Richmond, and the Angelik (directed by Maria Kyrychenko) and Vodohrai choirs. Performances by the Light of Mary Christian Youth Community, Ridne Slovo Ukrainian Studies School, St. Mary's Assumption Ukrainian Church, the Children of Light Ensemble of the Ukrainian Academy of Arts, the Ukrainian Daughters Foundation, and an ethnic costume show by STARKIDS with Roksolana Prokopiv added to the magic of the evening.
Entertainment was organized for the youngest guests, including tattoo artists and a fun dance program. The emphasis was on traditional Ukrainian cuisine: guests could taste donuts, uzvar and other dishes.
A special moment of the first day of the festival was a concert of the famous Ukrainian singer Iryna Fedyshyn, and on the second day a performance of Svetlana Vesna.
"I would like to sincerely thank everyone who took part in the Richmond Koliada Festival. As a part of this festival I gave a concert called "Ukraine Carols". Special thanks for the donations collected during my performance, which will allow us to buy another car for our boys. This vehicle will soon be sent to the front line to continue helping our defenders. It's a great thing to support our culture, preserve traditions, unite hearts and warm souls, remember donations to our Armed Forces and unite with carols even in the darkest times on the way to victory," shared her impressions of the event artist Iryna Fedyshyn.
The festival ended with an atmospheric performance of the church choir, which added to the festive harmony.
The organizers thanked everyone who took part in the event and urged them to preserve traditions and pass them on to future generations.
Photos and video: Dana Chepil, Venedykt Aleksiychuk
Author: Inna Mikhno