2nd UA Days Festival Set to Showcase Ukrainian Culture

The second edition of the Ukrainian Days (UA Days) cultural festival, organised by LUkraine asbl, is taking place throughout the month of June.

Speaking to media partner Chronicle.lu, LUkraine Vice-President Inna Yaremenko described the festival as "the most significant project of cultural diplomacy in all ten years of LUkraine's activity", highlighting the culture and heritage of Ukraine, not least at a time when Ukraine is "disappearing from the headlines", although the situation remains difficult.

Volunteers have come together again to prepare this second edition of UA Days, kicking off this week with events such as a special T-shirt collection presentation, in collaboration with Luxembourg artist and UA Days ambassador Jacques Schneider, on Thursday 6 June 2024.

Other highlights include:

- a children's event at Lycée Robert-Schuman on Saturday 8 June 2024;

- special screenings of Ukrainian films: the 2024 documentary Intercepted and the 2023 historical adventure/action film Dovbush (both screenings supported by the Representation of the European Commission in Luxembourg);

- a "Cultural Boom" at Rotondes in Luxembourg-Bonnevoie on Saturday 15 June 2024, featuring various activities, e.g. the opportunity to get real tattoos of Ukrainian symbols, raffles, music (concert with Ukrainian and Luxembourgish acts), a craft market with Ukrainian products, food and drinks, short film screenings, etc.;

-  a fashion show featuring Ukrainian designers at DOGADO Restaurant (Luxembourg-Hollerich) on Wednesday 19 June 2024 at 18:30;

- a concert at the Kulturfabrik in Esch-sur-Alzette on Thursday 20 June 2024, bringing together Ukrainian (electro-folk band and past Eurovision finalists, Go_A) and Luxembourgish talent (DJ Mike MC).

Moreover, the festival will feature a photography exhibition ("Ukraine: A Cultural Revival”) by Michael Garrett (UK) at the European Court of Auditors - open to employees of the EU institutions.

LUkraine asbl has also reached out to local restaurants, asking them to include Ukrainian dishes/drinks on their menus in June, in collaboration with a Ukrainian chef in Paris who created a unique menu. Whilst one restaurant participated in the initiative last year, two restaurants have been confirmed for this edition so far: Saga in Esch-Belval and Chiche in Luxembourg City.

Speaking about the chosen motto, "Living Together", Inna Yaremenko noted the importance of showing how the (Ukrainian) community in Luxembourg are "united as never before" in the face of Russian aggression and how Ukraine has "a lot in common" with other European cultures and traditions, and shares EU values.

This year, the festival is being organised in cooperation with various municipalities and other partners.

Money raised through ticket sales, etc. will cover certain costs borne by LUkraine asbl but will mainly go towards its charitable projects in Ukraine.

The full programme (plus any updates) is available online at https://uadays.lu.