The Ukrainian festival in New York was held online because of quarantine: how it was

About 100 participants from around the world took part in the traditional Ukrainian festival. Nearly 700 people watched the online festival's stream Facebook How it was said in the video of the publication "Voice of America".

Significant event

For 43 years in a row, in May, car traffic on a street in New York stopped for the Ukrainian festival. This is a unique event, because the city’s authorities allow it to block an entire street for its sake. It is forbidden to stop traffic for organizing events in the Big Apple, but an exception has been made for Ukrainians for more than a year.

For three whole days, 7th Street in New York turns into a large Ukrainian village. During this time, everyone can enjoy traditional Ukrainian cuisine, admire embroidered shirts and just chat with other people.

This festival is significant for the Ukrainian community not only in New York, but also throughout America and Canada. Several tens of thousands of participants come to it annually, including from Ukraine.

2020 festival

Each year, the Razom volunteer organization organized the Razom Lounge within the framework of the festival, a free space for people who want to get to know each other and better understand modern, progressive, post-revolutionary Ukraine.

That is why, despite the cancellation of the traditional meeting due to quarantine, this year the organizers decided to hold the festival online. Marina Prikhodko, the organizer of the online festival Razom Lounge, told why it is so important to preserve traditions and why she decided to hold the event via the Internet. “It is worth continuing this tradition, because people are now very lonely and miss their friends. But you can still meet, see each other through Zoom, ”she said. According to Prikhodko, Zoom allows you to reach a wide audience, blurring boundaries.

On the subject: 5 rules of life in New York: tips for beginners from a Ukrainian immigrant

This year, over 100 participants from different countries - the USA, Canada, France, Germany and Ukraine registered for the festival. Nearly 700 people watched the online festival festival on Facebook. The program consisted of various discussions and performances by Ukrainian musicians.

Festival participant Anya Sobolevskaya took part in the festival with her little son. “It was very interesting to participate online. It's completely different - you don't see people like you do on 7th Street, which united people. But now, when everyone stays at home, it was a super experience, - said Anna. "Because I wanted this contact, I wanted to get this Ukrainian experience, and we got it."

The online format of the festival opened up new opportunities for the organizers. But despite all the advantages, Ukrainians in New York are looking forward to next year to take part in their usual event.

About how the legendary Ukrainian restaurant Veselka survives during quarantine in New York, read in this material.