Ukrainian’s across the U.K. celebrated Vyshyvanka Day over the weekend. Traditionally Vyshyvanka Day is celebrated on the third Thursday in May. However, many celebrated over the weekend to make it easier for Ukrianian’s and their host families to join in the fun together.
Taking part in the celebrations that were held at Singleton Park, Swansea, was SvetLana Osiptsova from Mikolaev, East of Ukraine and her and her daughter, Sofiie. They had a great struggle to get to Wales safely which involved travelling via Odessa, Lviv, Gdańsk, Parma in Italy - where they had to escape people traffickers, and Paris, where they were advised to apply for the U.K. sponsorship scheme.
Finally, they arrived in the U.K. on 11th April and are staying with their sponsor family in Mumbles, Swansea. They also managed to bring their dog with them. SvetLana’s husband is an ambulance driver, who is currently in Ukraine. Both SvetLana and her daughter are both very impressed by the beaches and the Brecon Beacons. They are also getting used to the Welsh hospitality, which they find a little overwhelming.
Featuring: SvetLana Osiptsova, Sofiie
Where: Swansea, United Kingdom
When: 21 May 2022
Credit: Joann Randles/Cover Images