✨ This day became a true Christmas miracle for all of us!

The first Vertep Festival in Vienna — an event that warmed hearts and united the community! 🇺🇦🇦🇹

A truly historic and special event took place within the walls of @freepeople.school, giving us warmth, light, and a sense of home even far from Ukraine. It was a day when Ukrainian traditions came to life in the very heart of Europe.

🎓🏫 The festival brought together schools and organisations that work every day to preserve our identity and promote Ukrainian culture abroad. Incredible performances were presented by:

• Open Door Academy @opendoor.academy

• Ukrainian School “Erudyt” @wienerudyt

• PLAST @plast.austria

• Free People School @freepeople.school

Children’s voices, sincere carols, theatrical plays, and eyes filled with joy — every performance was infused with love for our roots. It was a great honour for @opendoor.academy to be part of this noble mission.

👨‍⚖️👩🏼‍⚖️ We express our sincere gratitude to our esteemed jury for their support and participation:

🤍 Volodymyr Koval – Counsellor of the Embassy of Ukraine in Austria @ukrainian.embassy.vienna

🤍 Anna Pattermann – Head of NGO Unlimited Democracy @kindannie

🤍 Oleksandra Saienko – Founder of the UStream festival @oleksandrasaienko

🤝 Beyond the creative programme, we joined forces for a good cause. Thanks to the guests of our charity fair and the support of @unitedwomen_official (who donated 25 gifts), all funds raised were sent to children in the frontline areas of Ukraine. Your support is a ray of hope for those who need it most.

Thank you @freepeople.school for the hospitality and incredible atmosphere! Thank you to the children for the light, and to the parents for the warmth and support.

✨ We have only just begun this great mission, which will surely continue. Together we are an invincible force, and our true strength lies in unity.

May the Christmas light we lit together warm every heart for a long time to come! 💫