Exeter Celebrates Independence Day of Ukraine and Launches Ukrainian ‘Yarmarok’ Fair
To celebrate The Day of the National Flag and the Independence Day of Ukraine, Maketank, Exeter’s cultural laboratory, and the Devon Ukrainian Association are presenting a celebratory gathering at Bedford Square, Exeter on Wednesday, 23rd August 5.30-6.30pm. Followed by the celebration, Maketank and DUA are launching the first ‘Yarmarok’ in South West, a Ukrainian fair to celebrate Ukrainian food, culture, and community on 26th August 12pm-5pm at Maketank.
The State Flag of Ukraine is a symbol that has been woven into Ukrainian history for centuries. The celebration of The Day of the National Flag (23rd August) is also intertwined with another significant event of the following day (24th August) - the Independence Day of Ukraine. Two dates that are symbolically placed side by side on the calendar of Ukrainian history. The gathering has invited special guests who will share their thoughts on how the support and solidarity of Great Britain contribute to the growth and independence of Ukraine.
In the same week of the celebration, Maketank and DUA will also be launching the first ‘Yarmarok’ in the South West on the 26th August. ‘Yarmarok’ (ярмарок), which means ‘fair’ or ‘market’ in Ukrainian language, carries a significant cultural importance in Ukraine for its spirit and role in supporting artists and crafters. Bringing Ukrainian food, Arts & Crafts, traditional performances and master classes in Ukrainian Arts under the same roof, Maketank and Devon Ukrainian Association hopes to bring awareness on Ukrainian culture to the British public.
Go along and experience the magic of Ukrainian folk culture and traditions:
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Traditional Ukrainian baked goods and famous borscht
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Live Folk Music and Folk Dancing
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Traditional Craft Workshops by Ukrainian artisans: motankadoll, vybiyka (fabric decoration), vytynanka (paper cutting), face painting, etc
- A wonderful afternoon of food, music, dance and craft Bring your friends along!
The history of “yarmarok”
First established as a way for people from towns and the countryside to exchange goods, to showcase traditional handicrafts made by skilled craftsmen and to exchange information, yarmarok tradition dates back centuries.
Potters and lozhkars (makers of wooden spoons), weavers and embroiderers, coopers and carpenters, wainwrights and basket makers, tanners and saddlers, masters of salting and tar distillers, bublichnitsy (women who are selling cracknels) and tailors, all were selling their wares at the fairs throughout a year.
Regular sale of goods would often turn into a real celebration, accompanied by music, games, performances, dances, and other fun activities. It connected history with modernity, revived ancient folk traditions, preserved unique Ukrainian culture and diverse ethnic flavours within it.
The “yarmarok” fairs are often viewed as the most anticipated events in the seasonal calendars. Sorochyntsi Yarmarok is the most known, featured in Nikolai Gogol’s famous story by the same name. Following a Presidential Decree of August 18, 1999, Sorochyntsi Yarmarok holds the status of Ukraine's national trade fair.
Website:
https://www.maketank.org.uk/event-details/ukrainian-yarmarok
When:
Celebratory gathering for The Day of the National Flag and Independence Day of Ukraine at Bedford Square, EX1 1LR on 23 August at 5.30pm.
Everyone is invited to attend a short prayer service to Ukraine, followed by a reception and a friendly conversation at Maketank, 5 Paris Street, Exeter EX1 2JB from 6.30pm-8pm.
The Ukrainian Fair “Yarmarok” will take place at Maketank on Saturday 26 August, 12-5pm.
For more information visit www.maketank.org.uk and www.dua.org.uk
