An hour’s drive south of the capital, several thousand people took part in the summer festival, many of them wearing shirts and dresses embroidered with traditional motifs.
Despite the restrictions imposed by the war, Ukrainians They celebrated the arrival of summer with festivals in which there was no shortage of folk dances, floral decorations and jumping over the flames of bonfires. He festival de Ivan Kupala It took place on Sunday, as the Ukrainians have begun their third summer period at war. An armed conflict that has forced the Ukrainian authorities to establish periodic blackouts and night curfews in kyiv and other cities in the country. When the electricity supply is cut off, the generators come into action, in order to ensure the supply of energy for the population.
An hour’s drive south of the capital, several thousand people took part in the summer festival, many of them wearing shirts and dresses embroidered with traditional motifs. The inhabitants of the capital have on their mobile phones an air raid alarm application that informs them of possible Russian missile and drone attacks. An aid that is essential to try to continue their lives with a certain normality while they gather around a coffee in bars or attend live events in closed venues, such as concerts, stand-up shows and circus performances for children.
A party that unites fire, water and nature
Ivana Kupala’s party is similar to Midsummer’s Eve celebrations in many Western countries: a kind of fusion of fire, water and nature which links pagan traditions with the Christian calendar. Sunday’s festival, on the outskirts of kyiv, was held in a national heritage park, where windmills, thatched houses and other traditional buildings had been set up for the occasion. The director of the park, Oksana Poviake, pointed out that it was important for people to forget their daily problems, and at the same time, reinforce their identity.
Meanwhile, the war continues in Ukraine. The men People under 60 cannot leave the country. due to the restrictions of the compulsory military service. However, they do not lose hope. Many continue talking about their vacation plans for when the armed conflict is over.
