On July 12, Kensington Town Hall in London became a portal into the world of Ukrainian song and myth.
The St. Mary Ukrainian School celebrated its 70th anniversary with a magical family celebration. Legends and young talents sang and danced, forest nymphs and mermaids greeted guests, and children’s eyes sparkled with joy.
Over 70 Years of Mission
The school held its first lesson on August 15, 1954. Since then, the Ukrainian Saturday School in London has become a true centre for preserving Ukrainian identity in the diaspora. Today, it operates at 154 Holland Park Avenue — a building purchased by the Ukrainian community back in 1968. It is owned by the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB).
Here, children study Ukrainian language, literature, geography, history, and Christianity theory. After lessons, they can join creative clubs: choir, dance, and art. The school celebrates holidays, supports children of military personnel and families of fallen Heroes, and provides care for students with special educational needs. Tenth-grade students take a final exam and receive a certificate from the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) confirming their knowledge of Ukrainian as a foreign language.
The Numbers Are Impressive:
- This year, the first bell rang at 13 locations
- 175 first-graders began their journey
- 60 graduates completed their studies
- Over 420 new students joined the community
A Celebration of Myths and Magic
Cultural manager Iryna Donenko developed the concept for this year’s celebration with her collegues:
“The event fell on July 12 — the day when, according to the old calendar, Ukrainians traditionally celebrate Saints Peter and Paul. So, our team decided the highlight should be something ancient and Ukrainian. Something memorable for children to discover. We chose the theme of myths and legends. Guests were invited to dress in green, white, or floral colors and embody a mythical figure.”
Among the guests were nymphs, mermaids, forest spirits, Cossack warriors, Kyrylo Kozhumyaka, Dovbush, Povitrulya, and even Cloud-Chasers. The best costumes received prizes.
“There were lots of nymphs, of course — because kids know Mavka from the animated film The Forest Song. However, we also wanted to introduce them to other characters. I transformed into a Dniester Mermaid — wearing a silver dress, green hydrangeas in my hair, emerald-toned makeup, and butterfly and flower stickers.
There were many Flower Maidens, but my favorite was Thundermaiden — the amazing volunteer Kaleria with fiery red hair! We didn’t have a Molfar, Chugaister, or Mahura this time, but we’ve planted the seeds for future ideas,” said cultural manager Iryna Donenko.
A special guest of the event was singer Ruslana, who shared:
“We do this not only for ourselves, but for our children and future generations.”
A Celebration of Kindness
Orysiya Novetska, the school’s operations director, shared:
“On July 12, in the heart of London, something happened that was far more than just an event — it was a true Celebration of Family, a union of hearts, souls, and dreams… This day gifted the children with memories for a lifetime.”
Funds raised during the event will help bring children from Kharkiv — who lost their parents due to the war — to the UK in August for rest and rehabilitation.
“This is the magic of humanity that changes lives,” Novetska added.
