(Nimue)
During April, The Folk of Gloucester is hosting a Ukrainian festival. This has been put together by Robin Burton – who I’ve worked with on a number of things, and who sings with Carnival of Cryptids.
The festival has multiple aims. One is to raise awareness of Ukraine’s struggles. Some of the art on display directly reflects this. The event is also giving people a chance to find out about Ukrainian culture and traditions, and giving Ukrainian refugees in the UK the chance to come together and share in those traditions.
Putin isn’t just trying to invade Ukraine. Russia has a long history of trying to supress Ukrainian culture, and trying to deny the actual history of this country. Keeping that culture alive is an important form of both resistance and survival. I can support that by being present to learn and witness, and by supporting the space being held for sharing Ukrainian culture. Dictators tend to favour homogeny and to outlaw difference. Our cultures, traditions, languages and histories are precious things and should be kept alive. Supporting diversity is always a way of resisting tyranny.
I’m very glad to be a small part of this large and vibrant event. Mostly I’m going along to watch and learn, but next weekend I’ll also be singing. The festival includes performers from the British folk traditions as well. Last weekend we had a morris side spelling the Ukrainian dancers. It’s good to share, and this is a lovely form of solidarity. It also makes it possible to run a longer day programme and to draw more people in.
If you’d like to find out more, wander this way – https://www.robinburton.co.uk/ukrainefestival
Photo by Keith Errington.
Druid Life 
Resist! Thank you for being part of this and for bringing it to us here.
I have watched several YouTubes about Ukrainian struggle for Independence. That struggle goes back several Centuries back to even the Medieval Times.
The Russian Empire seems to want to give up it’s Possession of Ukraine no matter what.
There’s definitely a long history to all of this. empires are always ugly.
Sounds like a cool event! Love this: “Supporting diversity is always a way of resisting tyranny.” If you’re not already familiar with them, you might enjoy the Ukrainian quartet Dakha Brakha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxg1dL_x0gw
Thank you, I shall check them out.
All in favour of what you are doing but don’t for a minute think that a potted 5 minute history of Ukraine does it justice.
You refer to Russia and its history of repressing Ukraine. I think you mean the Soviet Union, and more lately fascist Russia.
But historically the foundation of Russia was Kievan Russ, which was dominant and in no way suppressed. it was Russia, and the heart of it.
it’s a worthy cause, but be careful what bandwagon you jump on.
Dolly xx
Well done for taking the time to research this! Excellent work, and it’s always great when people bring extra things to blog posts. This isn’t actually my project, this is Robin’s project, which I am supporting in a small way. He’s been working with the Ukrainian Embassy to put this together.
Also I’m a bit unclear as to what you’re angry about, any chance you could explain?
Oh I’m not angry sweetheart! Just a few ‘ome trooves as mother would say. Xxxxx
That’s confusing – you put ‘angry’ in your name yesterday so I assumed it was an expression of anger. I assume you are now feeling calmer about the blog post not having been what you wanted it to be – as it wasn’t a post about the history of Ukraine, your comments don’t really come across as any sort of truth at all, I’m afraid.