A vibrant celebration took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the grounds of St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, where the community gathered for the Faith & Freedom Fest | Віра & Воля Fest. The event brought together parishioners, guests, and friends of the Ukrainian community in a joyful expression of faith, culture, and charitable spirit.
This was reported St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church.
According to St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, the festival began with a solemn Hierarchical Divine Liturgy led by Bishop Benedict Aleksiychuk. The liturgy was followed by the blessing of traditional Ukrainian dishes and the official opening of the festival.
“Our Faith & Freedom Fest has come to a close… but a special warmth and light remain in our hearts. In just a short time, we created a true celebration – united by FAITH in our hearts and FREEDOM in our souls,” shared the church community.
The festival featured a full program including traditional Ukrainian food, a festive concert, children’s activities, craft stalls, and prize raffles. Ukrainian artists and ensembles performed, including: VODA Voice – a talented trio of Ukrainian women and ambassadors of Ukrainian song worldwide; The parish choir, conducted by Roman Papushak; Singer Tetyana Barylyak (BARVA), known for her original songs blending folk motifs with modern sound; The children’s choir "Dyvotsvit", led by Nadiya Kavyuk, who performed under the slogan "Where we live, we will bloom."
Students from the StarKids school, under the direction of Kateryna Hrod, re-enacted the traditional Ukrainian ritual “Dressing the Bride”, showcasing a historical wardrobe collection from Roksolana Prokopiv.
“Faith & Freedom Fest is a place of family warmth and hospitality. It was a joy to be among these incredible people,” said Roksolana Prokopiv.
A surprise performance by the band Trioda delighted the audience, along with the festival’s cultural highlight – authentic bograch (Hungarian-style stew), trembita music, and humorous storytelling by activist and volunteer Mykhailo Boichuk.
The festival also served an important charitable purpose. In collaboration with volunteers from Revived Soldiers Ukraine, $5,712 was raised to support Ukrainian defenders.
“On the last Sunday of August, our Revived Soldiers Ukraine team attended the festival at St. Michael’s. It was truly a family celebration… Thanks to generous donations and a charity auction led by Fr. Ihor Darmohrai, we raised $5,712 for the foundation,” said Tetiana Levchenko, a representative of the organization.
For six hours, the church grounds were filled with warmth and joy: guests enjoyed Ukrainian food, children delighted in games and activities, and adults relaxed with music and meaningful conversations.
Organizers emphasized that the festival was a testament to the strength found in unity. Supported by faith and love, the Ukrainian community in Milwaukee continues to preserve its culture while actively supporting Ukraine during a time of hardship.
