On May 20th, as spring arrived in full bloom across the Netherlands, Project Together hosted a special evening on the Botel: “Celebrating Ukrainian Traditions – Spring edition”
Led by Olha Zhukova (@ua.ethnic.crafts), a folk art craftswoman from the Kherson region, the gathering invited participants to connect with Ukrainian traditions through food, storytelling, and craft-making.
In a time when Ukrainian identity faces a historical threatening that culminated on the ful-scalation invasion on 2022, keeping cultural practices alive becomes an act of resistece and strengthening of collective memory. This event wasn’t just about tradition; it was about affirming belonging, and nurturing community in the face of displacement.
All the nine available spots were filled, showing strong interest and engagement from the community. A few more individuals expressed interest but couldn’t attend due to the limited space. Still, the small round-table setting created a warm, focused atmosphere where everyone participated actively. “The evening was so well received that the host stayed an hour beyond the scheduled time”, told us the project coordinator Alina Bielun.
This edition also succeeded in broadening participation across age groups, with six of the nine attendees over the age of 40, a valuable step in reaching more diverse members of the Ukrainian community in Amsterdam.
Each participant left with a handmade craft and a deeper connection to their roots and each other.
A Summer Edition of Celebrating Ukrainian Traditions is already in the works. More details will follow soon!
OPEN DIALOGUE #1 — July 11
As part of our broader Together programming, we invite you to a three-part series designed to create space for honest and meaningful conversations around integration in the context of temporary displacement. The evening will feature personal stories, dialogue with a representative from the Municipality of Amsterdam, and space for audience reflections.
Open Dialogue #1: What does ‘integration’ really mean when your life’s in a suitcase?
Friday, 11 July. 18:00 – 20:00, at STUDIO C | XYZ STUDIOS – Tt. Vasumweg 38a, 1033 SC Amsterdam, Netherlands.
If you are part of the Ukrainian community in Amsterdam Noord or interested in the topic, scan the QR code to register and join us.
