The 23rd Washington Ukrainian Festival concluded in Silver Spring, Maryland, serving as a hub for Ukrainian culture, music, cuisine, and charity over the course of three days. More than 10,000 people attended the event, and organizers directed a portion of the proceeds toward humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
This was reported Washington Ukrainian Festival.
The 23rd Washington Ukrainian Festival took place on the grounds of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Silver Spring, traditionally uniting the Ukrainian community and friends of Ukraine from the U.S. capital region. The event ran from September 18 to 20, offering guests a rich program of cultural, musical, and charitable activities.
This year’s headliners included the Eurovision 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra and Ukrainian performer Kozak Siromaha, who took the stage on Saturday and Sunday. Other performers included violinist Innessa, the band Gerdan, the Melichenko Family Trio, Oksana Kovch, Yuliia Neduzhko, Maryna Kapovska, Alina Stovbun, Liliia Koreba, the Ukraina Dancers ensemble, and various other Ukrainian artists and creative groups.
A new feature of the festival was an exhibition of 70 Ukrainian rushnyky (ritual embroidered cloths) created between the mid-19th century and the present day. Visitors also viewed the "Paper Path of the Soul" exhibition by Belarusian artist Olga Palunis, dedicated to the memory of renowned Ukrainian artist Daria Alyoshkina and the art of Ukrainian paper-cutting (vytynanka).
A large Ukrainian fair featuring dozens of vendors ran for three days, showcasing embroidered shirts (vyshyvanky), ceramics, jewelry, Petrykivka-style paintings, artwork, handicrafts, and souvenirs from Ukraine. Numerous Ukrainian civic organizations participated in the festival, including United Help Ukraine, Ukraine Aid Group, the St. Andrew Humanitarian Center, and others. Notably, US Ukrainian Activists (USUA) hosted a charity tent featuring items created by Ukrainian artisans and volunteers. All proceeds from the sale of souvenirs and handicrafts are being directed toward humanitarian programs and charitable projects for Ukraine.
Ukraine House also took part in the festival, showcasing works by Ukrainian artists and craftspeople. Representatives of the organization thanked St. Andrew’s Cathedral and the organizers for the opportunity to promote Ukrainian art to an American audience.
An exhibition dedicated to Russian war crimes against Ukraine was another significant part of the festival. Visitors noted that the display served as an emotional reminder of the ongoing war and the need for continued support for Ukraine.
Attendees also had the opportunity to sample traditional Ukrainian dishes, including varenyky (dumplings), borscht, holubtsi (stuffed cabbage rolls), chebureky (fried turnovers), salo (cured pork fat), bigos (hunter's stew), smoked pork ribs, pork sandwiches, honey cake, and other homemade specialties. Guests enjoyed the Kozak Beer Garden, a children's zone with free face painting and entertainment, and areas designed for family leisure.
The organizers emphasized that for over two decades, the festival has remained one of the largest Ukrainian cultural events in the U.S. capital region. According to Father Volodymyr Steliak, who has been involved in organizing the festival since 2003, months of volunteer preparation each year make it possible to welcome over 10,000 visitors, combining the celebration of Ukrainian culture with fundraising for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Photo: WASHINGTON UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL, Ukraine House, Taria Blazhevych
Author: Inna Mikhno