On August 2nd and 3rd, in the town of Richmond, Illinois, the parish grounds of the Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church hosted the Ukrainian traditions festival "With Ukraine in the Heart!". The entire area transformed into a true hub of Ukrainian culture: the aroma of authentic food filled the air, live music played throughout the day, children ran between creative stations and workshops, while adults enjoyed a vibrant fair with embroidered clothing, jewelry, and handmade crafts.
The main highlight of the event was the rich concert program. Well-known performers from Ukraine and the diaspora took to the stage, including DOMIY, Vadym KrasnooKyi, GREMO, the Malyhivski Sisters, Volodymyr Okilko, Yurii Yaremiuk, the band TRIODA, Nataliia Hladdyn, Lithuanian rocker NERIJUS, Maryana Balash, Khrystyna Hrytsenko, Vitalii Prymiskyi, Tetiana Vakhnovska, Marta Freizer, Snizhana Putsyl, Liubov Lukashevych, Vita Kotyk, Bohdan Savchuk, Evelina Vivcharyk, the group Melavyky, Veronika Chaplii, the BARVA ensemble led by Tetiana Baryliak, Anastasiia Rusnak, the duo Alina Chemeris and Vira Ivantsiv, Vasylina Pasternak, Lidiia Okilko, Lesia Klipychenko, Anna Nakonechna, Ksenia Balandyuk, and banduryst Yurii Safonov-Borys.
The stage was further enriched by performances from the ensemble "Svadky", the children's choir "Angelyk" led by Mariia Kyrychenko, the Dormition parish choir, dancers from "Fitness Hopak", the Vyshyvanka School of Dance, V Dance Center, and the folk music group "Stavros". The festival was also supported by the St. Michael’s "Voices of Faith" choir from Milwaukee, the bandura duet Elegy Strings, the Iskra art studio, Smart Minds, the BARVYSTOK vocal school, and the ETHNOS cultural group.
Banduryst Yuliana Khavarivska shared her reflections on social media, calling the Richmond days a true “breath of fresh air,” comparing the atmosphere to her European tours. She emphasized that the synergy between the performers and the audience created a long-missed sense of unity, and even in the summer heat, the music “breathed and lived” with everyone present. Another emotionally powerful performance came from the StarKids modeling school. Young girls in traditional Ukrainian outfits from designer Roksolana Prokopiv turned the runway into a theatrical tribute to Ukrainian heritage, feminine strength, and cultural legacy. Volunteers and parishioners worked from dawn to dusk to ensure every guest felt at home. A dedicated children's area with bounce houses, face painting, and creative labs was buzzing non-stop. Alongside delicious food, there was a joyful atmosphere—guests sang along with performers, danced to energetic hopak rhythms, and connected with ancestral traditions through folk crafts.
The festival carried a clear humanitarian mission: all proceeds are directed to support Ukrainian charities and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Organizers stress that it is precisely the unity of the diaspora community overseas that makes it possible to implement such large-scale projects and simultaneously support the homeland in a time of war.
"With Ukraine in the Heart!" brought hundreds of people to small-town Richmond for the second year in a row, transforming it into a center of Ukrainian culture in the American Midwest. The parish now plans to make next year’s festival even more inclusive, expand its children’s programming, and invite new performers from around the world. Organizers are already encouraging everyone to prepare their embroidered shirts and follow the community's Facebook pages—so they don’t miss the “Ukrainian August” of 2026.
Author: Diana Khudko