The first-ever Ukrainian Green Week Festival took place in Bellevue, Washington, at the scenic Newcastle Beach Park. Organized by the Ukrainian Cultural Center “Toloka”, the event gathered hundreds of guests for seven hours of folklore, tradition, gastronomy, and charitable initiatives.
This was reported by the event organizer, the Ukrainian Cultural Center “Toloka”
On June 8, the picturesque Newcastle Beach Park in Bellevue transformed into a hub of Ukrainian spirit and culture. For over seven hours, the vibrant Ukrainian Green Week Festival unfolded — a celebration organized by “Toloka” that united the community around folklore, folk crafts, live music, and unique cuisine.
One of the festival’s main highlights was the borshch idyll presented by Ms. Alla and her team from “Baba Alla’s Hell’s Kitchen.” Guests had the chance to try eight different kinds of borshch — including a surprising new favorite: borshch with smoked pears, cooked on-site in a traditional tandoor oven.
“Seven hours of non-stop authentic Ukrainian folklore, crafts, and gastroculture. I think we broke a record in the U.S. — for the first time, borshch with smoked pears was cooked in a tandoor at a festival!” shared Ms. Alla.
In addition, attendees could participate in workshops on preparing both traditional “Zeleni” (Trinity Green) and chilled summer borshch.
From noon until sunset, the music stage remained lively. Performances included the bands “Pid Doshchem,” “IZI Band,” and the headline act “HraiMore,” who thrilled the audience with a fusion of ethno, jazz, and folk. The energetic vibe was maintained by DJ sets from the “Another DJs” collective.
The program was rich and varied. Throughout the day, activity zones for both children and adults were available. The festival became a vast platform for reviving Ukrainian traditions. Visitors could braid hair, enjoy face painting, weave floral wreaths, decorate tote bags using traditional block printing techniques, and take part in the ancient “Decorating the Bush” ritual — a symbol of summer fertility and abundance. Guests also got to meet Ukrainian mythological beings such as Mavkas, Rusalkas, and Forest Spirits.
Other attractions included various crafts, children’s quests, themed photo zones, and a folk craft fair. Among them: GertinskaCraft presented original corsets (including costumes for the Mavkas), KupavaArtHome offered one-of-a-kind ceramics, Tanya Zaika featured traditional Ukrainian souvenirs, Sashko Danylenko brought printed designs and animations, Suprun clth presented comfortable clothing, Through the War displayed knitted items supporting an elderly care home in Kharkiv, Kseniia Koshykova showcased straw decorative crafts, Olena Bedenko displayed paintings in the traditional Samchykivka style and Zerno from Lviv reimagined traditional Ukrainian attire.
The festival was not only a cultural event but also a charitable initiative. Funds raised from the fair, activity stations, and donations will support Ukrainian humanitarian projects and help establish a new cultural space for the “Toloka” community.
According to the organizers, over 60 volunteers and hostesses helped bring the festival to life. The festive atmosphere truly embodied the meaning of a “toloka” — a communal effort that united Ukrainians from across the state.
Photo: HraiMore, bond.art.photography, Olga Kvitka, Alla America
Author: Inna Mikhno