Events
Below are some of the events taking place in Swindon that may be of interest to Swindon’s Ukrainians and their hosts.
Ukraine’s Spirit of Resistance - cultural evening
The people of Swindon and Wiltshire are invited to an engaging show featuring true stories of Ukrainians and Vyshyvanka: Ukrainian embroidered fashion. Join us to celebrate the art of the Vyshyvanka with a catwalk show of designs, narrated throughout, and accompanied by Ukrainian music and traditional folk singing by the Kozachky ensemble.
UKRAINE FEST
Ukraine Fest 2024: Celebrating Ukrainian Independence in Swindon
Swindon Welcomes Ukraine is excited to present Ukraine Fest 2024, a vibrant celebration of Ukrainian culture. Join us on Friday, 23rd August 2024, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Town Gardens, Old Town Swindon.
Following last year’s success, Ukraine Fest will once again unite Ukrainian and local communities. Enjoy a diverse programme featuring:
- Concert: Performances by Ukrainian artists, including choirs and musicians.
- Art Workshops: Explore Ukrainian art and crafts.
- Art Exhibition: Contemporary Ukrainian art on display.
- Kids’ Activities: Family-friendly entertainment.
- Ukrainian Cuisine: Traditional dishes and beverages.
Special highlights include a Bandura Masterclass and unique Ukrainian coffee by Vadym Granovsky.
Join us!
‘Taste of Ukraine’ event
The people of Swindon and Wiltshire are set to experience some of the best of Ukrainian culture at the "Taste of Ukraine" event. An experiential event happening on Sunday 24th March in Old Town.
UkraineFeast
Daughter Yulia, mother Iryna and father Viktor
Ukrainian family in Swindon announce pop-up restaurant night in Old Town called ‘UkraineFeast’
The Patsora family, who fled the war in Ukraine for the UK, have partnered with Old Town restaurant ‘Pick Up Point’ and are launching their first pop-up restaurant night on 23rd October. The aim is to bring the flavours of Ukraine to an English audience served over 5 courses. The event will also raise funds for Swindon Welcomes Ukraine and Ukrainian aid charities.
The Patsora family have a history of cooking and baking with mother Iryna specialising in pastries and cakes and father Viktor in traditional Ukrainian cooking including baking of sourdough bread. The restaurant night is the first of its kind for Swindon bringing together authentic tastes from Ukraine but adapted in a modern way.
(a selection of the food being prepared for UkraineFeast)
Tanya Tymofeienko, who is leading on the project said, “The food the family make is delicious and should really showcase the best of Ukrainian dishes and tastes. We are really excited to be bringing this to Swindon”.
The night is focussed on five courses of traditionally inspired food, but also with live music from Ukrainian musicians, and an auction of Ukrainian items. The profit from the food, and the auction funds will be split with 50% going towards the work of Swindon Welcomes Ukraine and 50% to Ukrainian Aid Charities they support.
Daughter Yulia added, “we aspire to open our own small bakery or cafe in the future sharing the richness of Ukrainian cuisine with this welcoming town that has become our second home, a place where we've encountered unwavering support. If you join us for our Ukrainian evening, you'll be the first to try our food and support our family in starting our business.”
Providing the venue and working with the family is Josh West, a top chef who has been running his own restaurant in Swindon for the last 2 years, having worked in London and the Cotswolds for five star restaurants. Josh is donating his time, expertise and his restaurant to support the Patsora’s in the first Ukrainian restaurant night.
Kris Talikowski, Vice-chair of Swindon Welcomes Ukraine added, “First we had UkraineFest, a one day festival celebrating Ukrainian culture, music and food in the Town Gardens, and now we are so excited to bring an authentic and frankly amazing menu of delicious Ukrainian food with UkraineFeast. I’ve tried the food and it’s incredible and I think Swindon is going to love it too”.
To book your tickets go to https://www.ukraineswindon.com/store/p/ticket-for-ukrainian-pop-up-restaurant-night or book below.
FREE Learn To Cycle
Family Learn to Cycle and Cycle Confidence Event - A free event aimed at giving local people the skills and confidence to ride a bike in a friendly and supportive traffic-free environment.
The Big Dog Art Trail
Looking for FREE fun things to do during the summer?
Follow the Big Dog Art Trail and see how many of the Swindogs you can find in and around Swindon.
More than 30 larger than life balloon dog sculptures – the Swindogs – will be unleashed across Swindon during the Summer of 2023. It’s going to bring an exciting and visually engaging…never seen before…event to the town.
Each of the giant-sized balloon dogs will be adopted by an artist who will create a unique design on the sculpture. You’ll discover them barking along a free and family-friendly Big Dog Art Trail around some of Swindon’s finest landmarks, streets, parks and public spaces.
Whilst on the hunt for the Swindogs, keep an eye out for the 42 miniature Swinpup sculptures also sniffing about the Swindon Big Dog Art Trail.
Visit The Big Dog Art Trail to find out more
Ukraine Constitution Day
Happy Constitution Day
Following the independence of Ukraine, a new constitution (State Basic Law) was adopted in 1996. Ukraine Constitution Day is on 28th June.
Swindon Chilli and Cheese Festival
Swindon Cheese and Chilli Festival
The Swindon Cheese and Chilli Festival is back on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th June 2023. This years family friendly event will bring an amazing array of tastes, colours and experiences, including:
Over 70 stall traders
Live Music
Comedy Cooking Demonstrations with Chilli Olly and Dave Pepper Perret
Chilli Eating Competitions
Chilli Sauce Awards
Chilli Challenge
Storytelling
Disney Singer (Georgina Hendry)
Meet The Mascot
Bubble Party
Stilt Walker
Fun Fair
Punch & Judy
Walkabout Musicians
Crazy Golf
Treasure Hunt
Falconry Show
Face Painting
Entry Prices:
Children under 16 - FREE
Senior Adults (over 65+) £6 booked in advance or £8 on the day
Adults (17-65) £8 in advance £10 on the day
To find out more and buy your tickets visit the Swindon Cheese and Chilli Website.
FREE Learn To Cycle
Family Learn to Cycle and Cycle Confidence Event - A free event aimed at giving local people the skills and confidence to ride a bike in a friendly and supportive traffic-free environment.
Swindon Eurovision Dance Extravaganza
A fundraising event for Swindon's Ukrainian Community.
" Swindon's Eurovision Dance Extravaganza"
Vyshyvanka Day
Wear your shirts on Vyshyvanka day.
Swindon Welcomes Ukraine would LOVE to see photos of Swindon Ukrainians wearing their traditional clothing on Vyshyvanka Day. Share your photos with us on the Swindon Welcomes Ukraine Telegram group.
Ukraine Mothers Day
Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing Ukrainian mothers living in the Swindon community.
Hosts Meet Up
Swindon Welcomes Ukraine Hosts fortnightly meet up. For existing hosts and those thinking of hosting.
King Charles III Coronation Weekend
The UK and Commonwealth will be celebrating the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla over a weekend of special events on 6–8 May. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a Royal Event here in the UK.
What is the coronation? It is a solemn religious ceremony and has remained largely unchanged for over a thousand years. For the last 900 years, the ceremony has taken place at Westminster Abbey, London and is conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. More about the Coronation
On the morning of the Saturday 6th May, the King and Queen Consort will travel from Buckingham Palace in The King’s Procession to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach.
Look out for Street Parties around Swindon. Local neighbourhoods will organise street parties around the town with some streets being closed for the day to traffic.
Don’t miss: On Sunday 7th May there is a spectacular evening Coronation Concert being performed at Windsor Castle with iconic locations across the UK lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations. The concert will be LIVE for everyone to watch and listen to on BBC One and BBC iPlayer as well as BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. Find out more
Monday 8th May will be an EXTRA bank holiday (just for 2023). Schools and shops may be closed on this day.
Read more about the King’s Coronation: Royal Website Information and Coronation.Gov.UK
Swindon Welcomes Ukraine 1st Anniversary
The first Anniversary of the Swindon Welcomes Ukraine community group.
May Day Bank Holiday
Monday 1st May is known as ‘May Day’ in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The origins of the May Day Bank Holiday date back to Celtic Pagan heritage and mark the new cycle of growth and fertility in nature (Spring) across the UK.
Traditional celebrations include:
Crowning a May Queen
Dancing with ribbons around a maypole
Morris Dancing
Note: Supermarkets and larger shops will be open on May Day but you may find some town centre and smaller shops close for the bank holiday but will reopen on Tuesday.
Most of the local events have been moved this year due to the King Coronation celebrations taking place the following weekend 6th and 7th May.
Leaders of Ukraine National Summit
Calling all Ukrainian support organisers!
Do you organise support for Ukrainians in your area? In conjunction with the UK Government we are organising a National Online Summit to bring together leaders of Ukraine groups around the country to share ideas, best practise and challenges.
We would love you to join us to share your experiences of supporting Ukrainians in your area so we can:
Share good ideas and best practise
Work out what the key issues are nationally
Work out a pathway for future collaboration
If you would like to join this online event please register for a FREE eventbrite ticket. Please note this meeting will be held in English.
Усім організаторам підтримки українців в Англії!
Спільно з урядом Великої Британії ми організовуємо Національний онлайн-саміт, щоб зібрати лідерів українських груп з усієї країни для обміну ідеями, досвідом і труднощами, що виникають.
FREE Learn To Cycle
Family Learn to Cycle and Cycle Confidence Event - A free event aimed at giving local people the skills and confidence to ride a bike in a friendly and supportive traffic-free environment.
FREE Learn To Cycle
Family Learn to Cycle and Cycle Confidence Event - A free event aimed at giving local people the skills and confidence to ride a bike in a friendly and supportive traffic-free environment.
Festival On The Farm
To all Ukrainian Families and Sponsors in the area
The Festival on the Farm team would like to invite all Ukrainian families that are currently staying with Sponsors under the “Homes for Ukraine” programme, to this year’s Festival.
FREE WEEKEND PASS for all Ukrainian Families
All family members will be provided with a FREE weekend pass to come and enjoy the music and the company of other families staying in the “SN” postcode area. Please complete the Ukrainian Families Registration form via https://www.festivalonthefarm.co.uk/help-for-ukrainians
To qualify for free Ukrainian Family tickets we will require the following:
Proof of a Visa issued under the "Homes for Ukraine" Programme, Ukrainian passports for each person, proof of sponsored address.
FREE WEEKEND PASS for all Sponsor Families
Yes, we would also like to welcome Sponsors and their families to the festival. Please complete the Sponsors Registration form via https://www.festivalonthefarm.co.uk/help-for-ukrainians
To qualify for free Sponsors Family tickets we will require the following:
Proof of sponsoring a Ukrainian family, proof of your address and where the Ukrainian family are staying.
PLEASE REGISTER FOR FREE TICKETS
Firstly complete the form and submit to us via https://www.festivalonthefarm.co.uk/help-for-ukrainians Festival on the Farm will then make contact with you with details on how the above requirements can be provided.
Remember to bring your flags to show support for Ukraine.
Open Mic Night for Ukraine
Join us for a night of live music at one of Old Town’s most loved venues, Timmy’s bar.
Marilyn, who runs Timmy’s bar, is also a host with the Homes for Ukraine scheme and is putting on this second music event to showcase some amazing local vocalists, and some from Ukraine.
The event will start at 7pm and feature Ukrainian vocalist Sofiia Volovyk who has a career involved in music and singing in Ukraine.
Sofiia Volovyk, who arrived in Swindon this spring from Ukraine, will take part in the open mic. Having an unusual relationship with folk music and festival spirit, she began her unexpected musical journey in 2016, joining a klezmer band performing Jewish folk motifs. Having visited Georgia, Moldova, Belarus, Russia and the United States with performances, upon returning to Ukraine she was carried away by the power of national Ukrainian music and ethnic sound.
Becoming a participant in various Ukrainian music festivals, Sofia met and studied Ukrainian folk songs, sound traditions and adopt folk songs to such musical instruments as didgeridoo, singing bowls, jew's harps, darbuka, gongs, bells, electronic accompaniment, sarangi, handpan drum, tabret. Knowing various reggae, blues, classical musicians, she repeatedly took part in various musical and creative projects, including poetry reading. Acquiring a special approach to the voice and meaning of singing through her teachers Ukrainian performers Katya Chilly, Nadia Alunova, Evgeny Kalmykov (founder of the harp club of Ukraine), Sofiia considers the song and the voice of a person to be an important tool for conveying states of consciousness.
At this open mic evening will be less about her music background, but more about experimenting to transform different folk sounds and instruments to a meaningful simplicity of cooperation between British guitar musician and Sofiia, who will perform her native songs created by Ukrainian land.
Entry is free but donations on the night will go to the Swindon Welcomes Ukraine fund, aimed at supporting our growing Ukrainian community in Swindon.
Timmy’s bar, 93 Victoria Road, Swindon SN1 3BD
The Table
Eat together. Make friends. Support each other.
On Tuesday nights from 17.00-19.00 Pattern Church host ‘The Table’ - an opportunity for Ukrainians and their host families to meet each other and for friendships to grow. You can come every week or occasionally, and it’s open to all Ukrainians arriving in the area and their hosts.
You’re welcome to bring food to share but don’t worry if you can’t. Come along and make new friends.
It’s a great place gathering point to meet people with similar experiences and for community to grow. There are often people from other organisations present who can point you in the right direction with questions, or link you with someone who can.
Want more information? Email tom@patternchurch.org or follow contact us through Instagram @thetableswindon
The Table
Eat together. Make friends. Support each other.
On Tuesday nights from 17.00-19.00 Pattern Church host ‘The Table’ - an opportunity for Ukrainians and their host families to meet each other and for friendships to grow. You can come every week or occasionally, and it’s open to all Ukrainians arriving in the area and their hosts.
You’re welcome to bring food to share but don’t worry if you can’t. Come along and make new friends.
It’s a great place gathering point to meet people with similar experiences and for community to grow. There are often people from other organisations present who can point you in the right direction with questions, or link you with someone who can.
Want more information? Email tom@patternchurch.org or follow contact us through Instagram @thetableswindon
The Table
Eat together. Make friends. Support each other.
On Tuesday nights from 17.00-19.00 Pattern Church host ‘The Table’ - an opportunity for Ukrainians and their host families to meet each other and for friendships to grow. You can come every week or occasionally, and it’s open to all Ukrainians arriving in the area and their hosts.
You’re welcome to bring food to share but don’t worry if you can’t. Come along and make new friends.
It’s a great place gathering point to meet people with similar experiences and for community to grow. There are often people from other organisations present who can point you in the right direction with questions, or link you with someone who can.
Want more information? Email tom@patternchurch.org or follow contact us through Instagram @thetableswindon
Games Night | Ніч Ігор
Join us for Games Night.
Bring some food and drinks (if you want to) and any games you like.
Meet fellow Ukrainians, chat and have fun.
A benefit concert for Swindon Ukrainian Refugees
Very pleased to announce this fund-raising event to support Ukrainian refugees in Swindon. Entry is free but everyone attending is encouraged to make a donation on entry. The bands are giving their time for free, so buying them drinks is also strongly encouraged. Please also bring along donations of canned or dried food plus toiletries that we can distribute to those who need it.
We hope that you will come along and show support for our Ukrainian friends! Lets raise some money! 😀
The Table
Eat together. Make friends. Support each other.
On Tuesday nights from 17.00-19.00 Pattern Church host ‘The Table’ - an opportunity for Ukrainians and their host families to meet each other and for friendships to grow. You can come every week or occasionally, and it’s open to all Ukrainians arriving in the area and their hosts.
You’re welcome to bring food to share but don’t worry if you can’t. Come along and make new friends.
It’s a great place gathering point to meet people with similar experiences and for community to grow. There are often people from other organisations present who can point you in the right direction with questions, or link you with someone who can.
Want more information? Email tom@patternchurch.org or follow contact us through Instagram @thetableswindon