A new arts festival is coming to Cardiff from Friday 30 September to Saturday 1 October 2022 in support of people affected by the invasion of Ukraine. The two-day celebration at the Sherman Theatre will showcase a diverse selection of Ukrainian films and performance alongside art and photography by Welsh artists inspired by the history and culture of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Arts Festival has the support of some of Wales’ biggest names in entertainment including actress and writer Ruth Jones, singer and performer Ian ‘H’ Watkins, as well as one of Ukraine’s biggest acting stars, Dasha Volga.
Festival highlights include a dynamic programme of Ukrainian documentary and feature films, performances by Ukrainian singer and The Voice finalist Tonya Matviyenko and presentation of a new artwork by Welsh artist Nathan Wyburn.
The Ukrainian Arts Festival was co-created in May 2022 by Ukrainian Filmmakers Katerina Gorodnycha and Larysa Martseva, Cardiff for Ukraine, a volunteer-led direct-action group, and Regan Talent Group – with the support of the Sherman Theatre.
All funds raised from ticket sales will go towards two Ukrainian charitable foundations –Voices of Children and Voice of Ukraine, Wales.
Larysa Martseva from the Ukrainian Arts Festival, said:
“Almost seven thousand Ukrainian refugees have been sheltered by Wales since the beginning of the war. Not so long ago, for the majority of Welsh people, Ukraine was terra incognita – unknown land. Just like Wales for Ukrainians. Perhaps we would have remained just neighbours on the planet. But history decided otherwise.
“Now the destinies of Ukraine and Wales are linked forever. Even when the war ends and Ukrainian families return home, we will remain our own people. So we need to get to know each other better. Yes, the language barrier still prevents this, but there is a universal language that everyone understands – this is the language of art.”
The Ukrainian Arts Festival Cardiff is supported by Regan Talent Group, 3Sixty, Dramatic Futures, Dima’s Vodka and Brainy Monkey Post Production with the Sherman Theatre.
