The end of May marked much more than the conclusion of another school year for the students of our Saturday School. It became a meaningful journey into the heart of Ukrainian culture and traditions. The school year concluded with a special family celebration dedicated to the ancient traditions of Trinity Sunday — known in Ukrainian as the Green Holidays (“Zeleni Sviata”) —which symbolise the full arrival of warmth and summer.
For the families who had gathered at the school week after week throughout the year, this celebration became a particularly emotional occasion. Its main goal was to give every Ukrainian a feeling of “home away from home,” introduce both children and adults to the customs of their ancestors, and create a welcoming space where families living abroad could reconnect, recharge, and spend meaningful time together. Rather than simply entertaining guests, the event encouraged parents to become active participants, sharing their own memories and experiences while creating new family traditions for the next generation.
The highlight of the day was the colourful and engaging ethnographic quest, “The Secrets of Green Holidays.” Everyone took part — from the youngest three-year-old pupils to teenagers and their parents. Working together in teams, participants completed challenges at themed stations, collecting pieces of the final puzzle that would ultimately lead them to a well-earned reward.
As they travelled through stations such as “Rusalia,” “Klechannia,” “Podolianochka,” and “Topolia,” children not only competed but also discovered the traditions and beliefs of their ancestors. The atmosphere was brought to life by mythical characters from Ukrainian folklore — rusalkas, mavkas, and forest spirits — who guided participants through a series of playful challenges. Children solved riddles, endured tickling trials, demonstrated their speed and teamwork, and decorated the festive space and ceremonial tree with herbs and colourful ribbons to earn the goodwill of these magical beings.
One of the most memorable moments of the celebration was a theatrical performance inspired by Lesya Ukrainka’s famous poetic drama The Forest Song, featuring the beloved character Mavka. Guests also had the opportunity to enjoy an exhibition showcasing the creative projects and achievements of the Saturday School students throughout the past academic year.
The grand finale of the quest turned into a joyful community celebration. Accompanied by energetic modern folk music, children and adults joined together in traditional Ukrainian games and dances, including the Kryvyi Tanets and Podolianochka. By working together, the children finally deciphered the forest spirits’ secret message, found the mysterious red-haired sorceress, and received sweet treats and memorable prizes.
This unforgettable day — and indeed the entire successful school year — was made possible by people with truly generous hearts. The Saturday School administration extends its heartfelt gratitude to our wonderful teachers and volunteers. For many months, you have devoted yourselves to supporting Ukrainian families, sharing knowledge, encouragement, and care with our children. In preparing this celebration, you poured your creativity and dedication into every decoration, every scene of the programme, and every magical costume, helping to create an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
The school year came to a close on an incredibly warm, joyful, and patriotic note. Once again, we proved that no matter where we are in the world, Ukrainian traditions continue to unite us, inspire us, and give us the strength to move forward. We look forward to seeing you all again in the new school year!