The People of Bexhill Hub for Ukraine invites everyone to an open event celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of people seeking refuge and sanctuary.
The afternoon is FREE and people are invited to drop-in any time between 4pm and 7pm to experience and enjoy some of the Ukrainian way of life including dancing, singing, music, craft, food and drink.
Activities will take place on the First floor and will include:
The Bexhill Choir of Ukraine
The choir, made up of Ukrainian refugees living in Bexhill and Rother, will be singing traditional songs throughout the afternoon.
Traditional Ukrainian Folk Dancing
Tatiana Shapoval and Mikail Yaremenko dance in tribute to Oleksandr Shapoval, Tatiana’s husband, a professional ballet dancer at the National Opera of Ukraine, who was killed in a mortar attack in September 2022 after volunteering to fight in the current conflict.
Music and activities
There will music from Katerina, a young Ukrainian harpist providing a background for craft activities and an opportunity to read messages from participants of a regular writing and journalling workshops for Ukrainian refugees that takes place every week at the Pavilion.
Food and drink
Ukraine is an agricultural country and food is cherished through the year not only by eating, but also by fermentation or dehydration to make the crop last long after the harvest. Traditional food such as pierogy, varenyky and pickles will be served along with Karavai – a celebratory bread perceived as a symbol of life and embedded in the important national and cultural rituals of Ukraine.
Drinks include Uzvar, a national drink made by the fermentation of dried apples, pears, plums and raisins, along with other fruits from the harvest and Nalivka – a homemade sweet fruit or berry liquor traditionally served as a welcome drink.
The Bexhill Hub for Ukraine are raising money to help buy life-saving Occlusive Dressings for those fighting in defence of Ukraine, who are currently on the front-line. Occlusive Dressings are essential in a personal first aid kit as they help to save lives before medics can reach them.
Link to the fundraiser here
The Bexhill Hub for Ukraine meet every week at the Pavilion for support and conversation, coffee and connection.