On a sunny August day, over 1,000 guests gathered on the castle lawn in Bude (Cornwall, UK) to join the Ukrainian Charity Fest — a vibrant festival that opened hearts, broke down borders and connected cultures.
The event took place on the eve of Ukraine’s Independence Day, and became not only a holiday, but also a landmark event for the local community. The festival was organized by the Fly&Joy travel agency (Lilia Ilkevich, Yana Karpenko) together with the Ukrainian community and volunteers, and the information partner of the event was the only Ukrainian-language radio show in the UK, “RAZOM”/”Together” on ALLFM 96.9.
“This festival is not just a cultural event. It is a sincere thank you to everyone who has supported Ukrainians in Britain since the first day of the war,” says Liliya Ilkevich, co-organizer of the festival. “It is a symbol of the new unity that has emerged between the Ukrainian community and the people of Britain.”
Yana Karpenko, co-organizer from Fly&Joy, adds: “We dreamed of creating an event that would not only introduce people to Ukrainian culture, but also give a feeling of warmth, acceptance, and mutual support. And when you see smiles, hugs, and hear words of gratitude, you understand that it was successful.”
🌻 An inspiring space
Thanks to the creative approach of Irina Kuts, the festival designer, the space looked not just professional — it was inspiring. Live sunflowers, thoughtful tent placement, harmonious atmosphere — all this created a feeling of home away from home.
🏅 Official part
During the ceremony of gratitude, the organizers presented certificates to local residents, companies and organizations that have supported Ukraine since the beginning of the war.
Among them — Cornwall Council, Bude-Stratton Town Council, Cornwall Refugee Resource Network, Morwenstow Community, as well as numerous volunteers and host families.
Cllr Peter La Broy (Cornwall Councillor and Cabinet Member for Housing) and Mayor Mike Dawe (Mayor of Bude-Stratton Town Council) addressed the festival guests with words of support.
🎶 Cultural program
The festival brought together Ukrainian and British artists. The following artists gave their performances:
- Taras Shalaiev – master of the bandura
- Irina Volkova – vocalist and actress
- Oleg Malan – Ukrainian singer
- Rhys, The Nightchurch Pianist – British pianist
- Mriya Dance – Ukrainian dance group
💙 Support and thanks
The festival was made possible by the collaborative work of volunteers from across the country, including Olga Kornytska, Antonina Khadzholova and Yulia Redko, and the many local residents who helped with the organization. Special thanks to Cornwall Council and The Bespoke Brick Company for their financial support of the event.
