Family festivals were held all over Ukraine
At the beginning of May more than 50 cities of Ukraine announced the list of family events that would be held until the end of September 2018. Similar events are taking place in Ukraine annually, but this year they should be arranged on a larger scale and bigger number of participants.
Since May 10 every Sunday the city parks and central squares of numerous Ukrainian cities have been used as locations for family activities. The activities included interactive games for children, interesting master classes, concerts, brides’ processions, performances of dance groups and singers, and pro-family processions. Moreover, almost in every city participants of the festival and other people were given reminding cards about Love, Relations, and Field of Relations produced by Poklik Association.
Most family festivals were organized by the Vsi Razom (All Together) civic movement.
In most cities, the holiday was combined with a pro-family procession, which brought together priests of different denominations, happy families and indifferent people, who used it as an opportunity to declare their support of family values. The events began on the eve of the Family Day, which is officially celebrated in Ukraine on May 13.
May 12-13
On May12-13 the citizens of regional cities such as Fastiv, Kakhovka, Brovary, Kherson, Zhytomyr, Obukhiv, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Cherkasy, Dunaivtsi, and Mykolaivka became the witnesses of “All together” procession for family values.
Kakhovka
The Mother’s Day and the Family Day were celebrated in Kakhovka on May 12. The event was held under the motto “A Strong Family is a Happy Ukraine”. The festive procession, which was attended by several hundred citizens, went from the “Meliorator” community centre to the area of the old oaks. The concert, various promotions and master classes, games, quests and quizzes were prepared to entertain children. There was also a fair and special photo zones. At the end of the holiday a bunch of colourful balloons were launched in the sky.
Kherson
In Kherson family events took place at three different locations. Entertaining program for children, competitions for parents, photo zones, master classes, competitions for children and adults, lounge areas and other activities were arranged for visitors of the shopping and entertainment center “Fabrika” located in Shevchenko Park, as well as the district of Shumensky in the area of the Holy Trinity Cathedral. The procession for family values was held on June 10.
Fastiv
On May 12 several hundred citizens went on a festive procession on the central streets of the city of Fastiv (Kyiv region) to attract attention of society to current family problems. The participants were holding bright banners with various pro-family mottos. When the procession was over, festive concert began near the local Palace of Culture.
Zhytomyr
On May 13 several hundred of Zhytomyr citizens and the clergy participated in the festive procession , which was the part of celebration of the Family Holiday in Zhytomyr. The procession went under the following motto: “Happy family is a Father, Mother and Child”. An entertaining zone for family rest and various educational events was organized on Mykhailivska street. In addition, the citizens and city guests could enjoy the concert that was organized in the evening.
Ivano-Frankivsk
On May 13 Ivano-Frankivsk became the witness of the procession for life and family values, which had been organized for several years in a row. The motto of the procession was: “Save life and family!” Hundreds of citizens, guests, and representatives of the clergy of different Christian denominations participated in the event. They carried banners with different mottos like”You were born, give the chance to another person”. Organizers of the event encouraged people not to violate God’s commandments, and the authorities – not to accept non-Christian laws. The procession stretched from the square near the Ivan Franko monument to Vichevy Square. At the end of the procession participants were greeted by priests and officials of the city: Metropolitan of Ivano-Frankivsk Ukrainian-Greek Church, Bishop of Ukrainian-Greek Church, senior pastor of Christians of Evangelical Faith, Ivano-Frankivsk Mayor. Local singers gave an unforgettable concert and created an amazing atmosphere.
Lviv
In Lviv Family Holiday was arranged under the motto: “If there is a family, there is Ukraine”. At the beginning the city people gathered near the monument to Taras Shevchenko, where they were greeted by the representatives of the city and regional authorities as well as the clergy of various Christian denominations of Lviv.
The meeting ended with a prayer for the grace of God in all the families of Ukraine, and the holiday continued with a festive procession on the streets of Lviv to express support of Ukrainian traditional family values.
Brovary
In Brovary the procession for family values took place on Boulevard of Independence on May 13. After the procession, the participants went to the Prometheus International Exhibition Center, where the celebration continued with a festive performance and concert. Representatives of religious communities of the city greeted the audience. Later the guests could enjoy songs dedicated to mother, family and Ukraine.
Cherkasy
Cherkasy city also joined the marathon of family events. Despite the rainy weather almost 2000 citizens walked through the streets of their hometown to declare: “If there is a family, there is a country”.
Obukhiv
On May 13 Obukhiv celebrated the Mother’s Day and the Family Day together with local families. People enjoyed performances of children creative bands organized in the centre of culture and leisure. The organizers had sweet gifts for mothers and balloons for kids. Around 500 people participated in the event.
Ternopil
Almost 3,000 people of Ternopil took part in procession for the protection of family values. “The purpose of this procession was to draw attention of society to the family values of our nation,” said the organizers. – We want to show that the family is a treasure worth fighting for. ” Citizens expressed their protest to promote homosexuality.
Different activities were organized after the procession. These activities included games for children, master classes, and thematic discussions. During the event, the problems of the family unity, the importance of both parents in the life of a child, and the problems of abortion were discussed.
Mykolaivka (Donetsk region)
On May 12 several hundred people of Mykolaivka town celebrated the Family Day, walking through the central street of the city to the Palace of Culture. Entertaining activities such as art workshops, dance flash mobs, karaoke were prepared for participants of the event.
Dunaievtsi (Khmelnytsky region)
Apart from big cities family procession was also organized in Dunaievtsi (Khmelnytsky region). About 300 citizens walked down the streets with posters and baloons.
Later Dubno city (Rivenska oblast) announced about its intention to arrange a family festival too.
May 18-20
On Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20, eight cities of Ukraine, mainly Vinnytsia, Kremenchuk, Khmelnytsky, Pidvolochyisk, Bila Tserkva, Bar, Rivne, Kamyanets-Podilsky, Mykolaiv and Shumsk, joined the street festival marathon.
Kremenchuk
On May 19 Kremenchuk city organized the Family Festival called “Happy family is a strong family”, which took place in the Dnipro Park. Hundreds of Kremenchuk citizens went on a joint procession for traditional family values. Family forum was held at that day in “Star” camp where numerous creative locations were set for children.
Bila Tserkva
Almost 4,000 residents of the Bila Tserkva gathered at the ” All together for a family!” festival, which was held on Torhova Square. The program of the event included concert, competitions and gifts for all members of the family. Also, residents of the city took part in a festive procession to protect traditional family values. It is worth noting that newlyweds were driving at the beginning of the procession. The organizers held a lottery where Samsung Galaxy J3 was the main award. The holiday ended with a great concert and greetings of the city leaders and the clergy.
Bar (Vinnytsia region)
Family procession under the slogan “Happy family is a Father, Mother and Child|” was held in Bar town with the support of the district council, churches and religious organizations on May 20. Local people along with their families, and clergy of almost all denominations of the district went to the city central street to show their support of family values. Almost 300 people attended the procession. They were encouraged by the clergy of the Orthodox, Greek Catholic and Catholic churches, and leaders of Protestant organizations. The procession was followed by a concert.
Vinnitsia
On May 20 around 5000 citizens came to the central square to show their support of family values. The procession started at 2pm at Soborna Street and ended in the Central Park. A festive concert, where singers performed family songs, took place on the square near the fountain. Tasty dishes from fire along with nice photo zones and interesting activities were arranged for the guests.
Rivne
The pro-active citizens of Rivne did not miss the opportunity to hold a family festival too. On May 20 around 8,000 citizens of Rivne joined the procession to support traditional family-friendly values. Participants of the procession walked through Soborna Street to the Independence Square where they could rest in a family zone equipped for playing games. The evening ended with a nice concert on the square.
Khmelnytsky
The Family Holiday in Khmelnytsky started on May 18, and lasted for three days. 11 tents were placed in front of Shevchenko cinema. They were equipped to create Family town with interesting family activities for families, couples and children. Children could jump on a trampoline, enjoy a bubble show and a concert. Families had an opportunity to take a photo in a photo zone.
Sports competitions called “Daddy, Mommy, me are a friendly family!”, “Super-daddy”, “Super-mom” were organized for citizens on different locations in the city.
On May 20 about 5,000 people participated in pro-family procession, which started near the Roman Catholic Church of Christ the King of the Universe and stretched to Lybid Plaza shopping mall and cinema. The participants of the procession were holding posters with inscriptions like “A healthy family is a happy country!”, “All together for a family!”, “A strong family is a strong state”, “Daddy, mommy, me are a happy family. “,” Traditional family is the only country! “, etc. A family meeting together with the representatives of the Churches, local authorities and the public took place right after the procession. Later in the evening the citizens and the guests of the city could listen to the concert.
Pidvolochysk
In Pidvolochysk (Ternopil region) the Family festival to support traditional Christian family values was arranged on May 20. The event began with a procession that numbered around 300 people, who walked the streets of the city with mottos that showed their support of traditional family values.
“This is a special day for me because I understand that the institution of the family takes an important place in our country. A strong family is a strong country. This event is to show the support of the family. The country and every person should take care and preserve family and its traditional values”, – said Vadim from Zbarazh, who participated in the procession in Pidvolochysk.
The event included also entertainment for children: painting on asphalt, water games, sports games, etc. It was a great opportunity to have some rest and fun for all family members.
Kamianets-Podilsky
The initiator of the procession for family values in Kamianets-Podilsky was the Spiritual Council of the city. A similar event have been organized before as a part of the Day of the City celebration. Participants of the procession prayed for the city, for the family and for Ukraine. The celebrations included interesting workshops for children and various activities for families.
Kramatorsk (Donetsk region)
“Happy family is a strong family” festival was organized in Kramatorsk on May 26. Around 300 citizens processioned from the Shevchenko’s square to Bohdan Khmelnitsky street and Jubilee Park. The event continued on 50 different locations with creative workshops, active entertainment and contests. The Police and the Ministry of Emergency Situations along with the organizers conducted professional workshops. Children could try on bulletproof vests, use police radio set, get inside police or fire fighting vehicle. Adults were given a training on how to give first aid.
Chernivtsi
In Chernivtsi the procession called “Happy family” was held on May 27 to support family and Christian family values. At the beginning of the event the chairman of the Chernivtsi Regional Council addressed the audience and later the children launched 100 red and white balloons with the inscription “For Life” in the sky. A peaceful procession went on the central streets of the city accompanied by a military brass band. Around 3000 people participated in the event.
Znamianka (Kirovohrad region)
In Znamianka the family festival was held in 2018 for the first time, and started with the procession like in other cities. The organizers also prepared entertaining activities in the local park that included contests, dancing flash mob, chess tournament, etc.
Kamianske (Dnipropetrovsk region)
“Healthy family – happy Ukraine” was the motto of the family holiday in Kamianske city (Dnipropetrovsk region). More than 2000 citizens and their children walked from the Mother’s Monument to the square of Peter Kalnyshevsky, which was the location of the holiday concert.
Melitopol
On May 26 the residents of Melitopol have traditionally gathered at a large-scale festival called “Happy family – a strong country.” The event took place on the main square of the city. Hundreds of Melitopol families met near the Taras Shevchenko monument and walked from Bohdan Khmelnytskyi Avenue to Gorky recreation and leisure park. The opening of the event was on the new stage in the park. Citizens and guests could participate in entertainment program that included thematic photo locations, master classes, traditional Ukrainian products and sweets market, etc. The children were entertained by animators dressed in the bright costumes of their favorite characters.
Voronkov village (Kyiv region)
The family holiday “Daddy, Momy, Me” was held in the local park of Voronkov village on May 26.The program of the event included various activities, mainly: horseback riding, playing aero hockey, face painting, playing board games, tennis, etc. Married couples could go to “Spousal Dialogue” café to talk about family life and how to improve their relationships. Families were greeted at music festival that lasted for the whole day.
Lutsk
Super Dad Competition and numerous entertaining activities for childrenwere the part of the program of the 8th Family festival organized in the central park of Lutsk on May 28.The organizers put the main stage, were invited guests were performing, near the entrance into the park. The place along the main alley was used for active leisure. That was the place where childrencould jump on a trampoline, eat some ice cream, or participate in one of many master classes.
Mykolaiv
In Mykolaivthe Family Day was organized by an informal association of churches along with social organizations of the city. The event is organized annually to attract attention of the citizens to family values. Entertaining program included taking pictures in photo zones, holiday concert, quizzes, contests for kids, etc.
Ivano-Frankivsk
Ivano-Frankivsk hosted the Family festival on May 27. The holiday began with a speech by a young boy from Ivano-Frankivsk, who participated in ” The Voice. Kids” of the Dates”. He sang a song called “Malvy”. The evening was closed by IZI music band and Bria Blessing, a singer and a composer, who also participated in “The Voice of the Country” talent show.
June 1-3
Mukachevo
On June 1 a lot of people gathered to say “Yes!” to saving life and family. The procession started in the centre of Mukachevo and ended near the monument to St. Cyril and Methodius. Firs the stage was given to young bands. Later Ivan Maniak,the secretary of the Mukachevo City Council, addressed people emphasizing that it was the ninth event organized together with the clergy and people of the city.
Kyiv
All-Ukrainian procession for protection of the rights of children and families was held in Ukrainian capital on June 2. More than 7,000 people walked from the Sofia Square to Verkhovna Rada, where they prayed for the country. The procession was accompanied by several cars used as loudspeakers to broadcast speeches of the organizers of the event, pro-family activists as well as songs of kids’ choirs.
Zaporizhzhia
Family festival was organized in Zaporizhzhia in the Oak Garden park for the sixth time. This year the festival was the biggest and it was held on June 2. Organizers believe that around 30,000 people participated in 2018. A huge crowd came to the Oak Garden park where the biggest family event was organized. There were around 200 different locations, including sport area that covered more than 1 hectare. The program included not only entertaining activities but also very useful training like first aid training. Mykola Kuleba, Children’s Rights Commissioner for the President of Ukraine was also invited to the festival.
Smila
“All together for a family!” festival was held in Smila town on June 2. A festive procession to support family values started at 2pm at the central fountain and continued to the central park of recreation and leisure. The participants of the event could take part in entertaining program prepared by the organizers. The organizers of the festival were the Executive Committee of the Smila City Council and Evangelical Churches of the city. The entertaining program included various activities for children and adults in the central park.
Lviv
The Family Festival in Lviv started with the procession for protection of family values on June 3. It started at 12.00 on Rynok Square. Participants walked the central streets of the city to St. George’s Square. During the day guests could visit educational, recreational, and sports locations. The event was closed with a festive concert.
Uzhhorod
The procession and festival for family values were organized in Uzhhorod on June 3. The organizer of the event was the Spiritual Council of the city. Thousands of people gathered on the square of Shandor Petefi and, accompanied by the orchestra, they moved to the Theater Square. This is where ” All together for a family!” festival started.
Khmilnyk (Vinnytsia region)
A lot of interesting entertaining activities were prepared for children and their parents at the Family festival in Khmilnyk. Almost a thousand people came to the event. The children were entertained by animators of the show-theater, and the organizers invited the masters of the aqua make-up, who painted faces of children. Guests of the event could play ping-pong or jump on trampoline. There was also a coffee-zone where people were treated with tasty ice-cream.
Sloviansk (Donetsk region)
The Family festival in Sloviansk was organized under the patronage of the mayor, supported by the Department of Family, Youth and Sports of Donetsk Regional State Administration, as well as the Culture Department in the city of Sloviansk on June 3. The holiday started with the Parade of happy families, who walked from the central Cathedral Square to Pushkin Boulevard. About 4,000 citizens took part in the event. Among them you could see participant of the contests such as Mini Miss and Mini Mister, families of police members, families with many children as well as families of the authorities.
Kovel
At the same weekend citizens of Kovel gathered to express their support of traditional family values. The event included a festival, festive procession, games and entertaining activities for children and adults.
June 8-10
“All together for a family!” festival and procession for protection of family values were organized in Kyiv, Severodonetsk, Khust, Kropyvnytsky, Odessa on June 8-10.
Kyiv
On June 9-10 the Postal Square turned into a cozy small family town where around 30, 000 people could spend time with their family and children. “All together for a family!” festival, which is getting more and more popular, took place near the River Port of the city.
Severodonetsk (Donetsk region)
” All together for a family!!” festival was held in Severodonetsk (Donetsk region) on June 9. The procession for the family and family values attended by 400 people was the part of the festival. The procession passed from the Palace of Culture to the Victory Square. The priests addressed to people from the stage, encouraging them to fight for Christian values, bring them to the life, and protect the institution of the family. Festival participants distributed postcards and notes on the harm of abortion, the mystery of marriage, and prayer for the family.
Odessa
The procession for the family values took place in Odessa on June 10. It was called “Daddy, Mommy, me are a happy family”. The event was organized as the part of “Happy family is a strong family” campaign.
Poltava
Around 2000 people of Poltava gathered near the Cathedral Square to walk peacefully to express their support of traditional family values on June 10. In the evening entertaining activities were prepared for local people and guests of the city in the central park.
Dnipro
The procession for family values took place in Dnipro on June 9. It was organized by believers of different denominations, non-governmental organizations and local people. Participants prayed for family, city and country. Entertaining activities were arranged for children after the prayer. The parade started on the Heros Square, where participants of the festival were registered. The locals were holding flags, banners and balloons as well as numerous posters with children. During the parade people were shouting different mottos: “Daddy, Mommy, Brother and me are a happy family”, “The family is Ukraine”, “A strong family is a strong country”.
Rozhysche (Volyn region)
As a part of the program of the family holiday in Rozhysche, Volyn region, the organizers prepared various entertaining activities, including contests, music concert, games. Anton Kupitin, who was the participant of the “Voice of the country” national show, and his family also came to the event. The event was held on June 10 as part of the celebration of the “Marriage Week” in Ukraine.
Kropyvnytsky
The Family festival in Kropyvnytsky was held on June 9. It started with a festive procession that stretched from the monument to the guardian angel to the Kovaliv Park.
The authorities and guests of the holiday greeted people, who came to the event. Later everyone could go join entertaining area with numerous interesting activities.
The activities included competitions, master classes, lectures, photo zones for taking photos and, of course, eat and drink area. Guests of the festival could compete for the title of the most sportive family, take part in dragging a car with a rope, or play chess. The evening ended with a festive concert given by talented local musicians. Later the guests could watch a film broadcasted on a big screen. The event was organized in the same park for the second time.
Khust (Zakarpatiatia region)
“All together for a family!” procession was organized in Khust city on June 9. The procession started near the Independence Square and headed to Khust city council. The clergy of different denominations participated in the event. Khust became the third city in the region after Uzhgorod and Mukachevo, where people of different denominations, age, professions and interests gathered to express their support of traditional Christian values.
Sumy
The procession for traditional family values was organized in Sumy on June 17, and numbered around 2000 people. There were member of Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic churches, representatives of the public and city. The procession was followed by the Family festival visited by 7000 people and located in the central park of the city. At the beginning of the festival everyone prayed for families of Ukraine, and later guests of the event were welcomed by, Mykola Klochko, the head of Sumy Regional State Administration, Vera Motrechko, the deputy head of the city of Sumy. The organizers of the festival prepared family locations with trampoline, puppet theater, exhibition of paintings and children’s drawings, photo area, etc. The festival was accompanied by the speeches of famous social leaders and local performers. The family festival ended with marriage testament renewal ceremony and “Fireproof” movie watching.
Skadovsk
“All together for a family!” holiday for the whole family was held in Skadovsk on June 16. An entertaining program and locations were settled on the central square of the city as part of Family Day. Entertaining program included sports games and contests for children and parents, master classes, jumping on trampolines, aqua make-up, and prize drawing.
Street events were also to be arranged in Kiliya, Tyrov (Vinnytsia region), Pisochyn (Kharkiv region), Balaklia (Kharkiv region), Chernihiv, Brodach (Lviv region), Berezhany (Ternopil region).
