A unique cultural event in Gloucester is bringing Ukrainian refugees and local communities together through a vibrant celebration of art, music, and shared experiences.
The Gloucester Ukraine Festival, held at The Folk of Gloucester from 3 to 18 May, offers a space where refugees can reconnect with their culture, tell their stories, and find comfort in community.
The festival was created to give Ukrainians who fled the war a platform to showcase their creativity. Many of the featured participants have resettled in towns across the UK. Through performances and exhibitions, they aim to express both resilience and hope. Central to the festival is a powerful 60-metre-long art display called Lines of Resistance, which includes paintings and photographs that reflect the ongoing struggle and the strength of Ukraine’s people.
This collection is not just for viewing — it is part of a larger mission. Organisers plan to take it to cities like Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Odesa as a gesture of support from Gloucester to Ukraine. After its journey abroad, the artwork will return to the UK to be displayed again at home. Each piece in the exhibition is available for purchase, with proceeds helping to fund the project’s trip to Ukraine.
Alongside this is another key feature: Scattered Light, a mixed-media exhibition curated by Olha Barvynka, a refugee and artist now living in Cheltenham. Her work brings together ten Ukrainian artists, including two still living in Ukraine. Spread across several rooms, the exhibit explores the theme of displacement and the varied paths taken by refugees. For many of the artists, this experience has led to new friendships and a renewed sense of purpose.
Barvynka, originally from Bila Tsverkva near Kyiv, found her calling in art while still in Ukraine. She is now pursuing a Fine Art degree at the University of Gloucestershire and has helped others find inspiration through this project. She sees the exhibition as more than a showcase — it’s a space for healing and connection.
Visitors to the festival can also enjoy live performances from Ukrainian musicians and dancers, including the Bristol Kozachky Choir and the Styx Border Morris group based in Stroud. The programme includes a tribute to war photographer Ruslan Ganushch, who was killed during the conflict earlier this year. His powerful images will be on display to honor his work and sacrifice.
Volunteers and organisers say the festival is not just about remembrance — it’s about joy. The goal is to create moments of happiness for refugees while introducing the broader community to the richness of Ukrainian traditions. For many attending, it’s a reminder that even in times of hardship, culture, art, and human connection can offer strength.