The Ukrainian Saturday School began its activities at the Ukrainian Centre in 2022. Since May 2025, with the support of the SUCCESS project, we have been creating an environment that fosters the development, creativity, and psychological well-being of young Ukrainians living in Lithuania.
Our main goal remains unchanged: to preserve Ukrainian identity among the younger generation. We strive to ensure that every child feels connected to their roots, speaks their native language, and understands the history and culture of their country.
Alongside its educational mission, the school also focuses on:
- Psycho-emotional support: Through creativity and communication, we help children stabilize their emotional well-being and adapt to new circumstances.
• Harmonious integration: We build a cultural bridge between Ukraine and Lithuania by introducing children to local traditions and European values while maintaining a strong connection to their Ukrainian heritage.
Key areas of our activities:
- National identity block
Study of the Ukrainian language, the project “Ukraine from A to Z”, a young writers’ club, and meetings with the Ukrainian scout organization “Plast”. - Creativity and art therapy
Workshops in drawing, polymer clay modelling, origami, and decorative arts help children express their emotions, develop creativity, and reduce stress. - Music and stage
The vocal studio “Mriya”, guitar and piano lessons, and a theatre group. Music and performance not only develop artistic talents but also improve pronunciation and bring joy and confidence. - Intellectual development
Chess tournaments, board games for teenagers, and developmental activities for younger children that encourage logical thinking and teamwork. - Language bridge
Lithuanian and English conversation clubs that help participants develop practical communication skills and feel more confident in everyday interactions.
Every week, children aged 3 to 18 can choose activities according to their interests: from language learning and educational classes to chess tournaments and music lessons. During the first six months of the project — 24 weeks — we held 156 classes.
The first steps in learning their native language and discovering the surrounding world. Our pupils explore the traditions of both Ukraine and Lithuania while recognising themselves as part of a wider European community. In this way, we lay the foundation for a strong sense of identity.
Through creative workshops — drawing, embroidery, modelling — children express their emotions and find inner calm. Each artwork becomes not only a creative achievement but also an effective tool of art therapy.
Activities in the vocal studio “Mriya” and music lessons help children develop their talents, improve pronunciation, and preserve elements of Ukrainian cultural heritage. Music overcomes barriers and brings genuine joy.
Chess and intellectual games teach teenagers to analyse situations, plan ahead, and engage in friendly competition while strengthening strategic thinking and teamwork.
Since 2022, the Ukrainian Centre has become not only a place for adaptation and gradual integration of Ukrainians into Lithuanian society, but also a space for developing personal and professional competencies. While children attend Saturday School activities, their parents can participate in specially designed programmes that support integration into the labour market and personal development.
Within the framework of the SUCCESS project, alongside language courses and the “Community Accelerator” trainings, two groups of weekly activities are organised at the Ukrainian Centre.
The first direction focuses on developing skills, communication,social and intercultural competencies. Participants strengthen their communication skills, teamwork abilities, critical thinking, and self-confidence. These goals are achieved through language learning, discussion clubs, creative meetings, film screenings, and collective artistic activities that encourage active dialogue and intercultural exchange.
The second direction focuses on psycho-emotional stabilisation and the development of personal potential for professional growth. Art therapy practices, choir singing, creative workshops, and painting classes help participants reduce stress, cope with the consequences of forced migration, and regain motivation for professional development.
Over six months, 77 meetings and activities were organised, including:
- 24 choir sessions
• 18 discussion club meetings
• 17 Ukrainian decorative painting classes
• 18 creative workshops
Traditionally, the Ukrainian Centre places great importance on marking national holidays and commemorative dates significant for Ukrainians. For Ukrainians living in Lithuania, such events are not simply celebrations — they represent a living connection to home.
Over the past six months, we organised eight themed family events for families with children: from celebrating Independence Day with interactive workshops to the “VarenykyFestival” with quests and chess tournaments — creating shared memories together
Through charitable initiatives such as “St. Nicholas’ Treats for the Armed Forces of Ukraine”, where children and parents baked cookies for soldiers at the front, we nurture a sense of compassion, solidarity, and active civic responsibility within the community.
During the first half of the year, particular attention was given to two important events: the commemoration of the victims of the Holodomor in Ukraine and a joint Christmas celebration.
Our activities help families preserve their identity, revive traditions, rediscover authentic history, and feel the support of a strong and caring community.
These events are especially valuable for Ukrainians who cannot attend regular activities, often due to the distance from the Ukrainian Centre. For many participants, such gatherings become a starting point for their own local initiatives, which later develop into larger community projects.
Our events never truly end when the stage programme finishes — they continue through conversations, the exchange of experiences, and mutual support. By staying connected to our roots, we continue to build a shared future together.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.
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