During the period between Christmas and New Year, Ukrainian children living in Vilnius will gather for a fun winter celebration at the Cathedral Square. On 28 December, from 4 pm to 7 pm, hundreds of volunteers will welcome Ukrainian children at the Christmas tree, baking doughnuts, serving tea and hot chocolate.
„This Christmas is different for the almost 4000 little Ukrainians who have found refuge from the war in Vilnius – without their fathers fighting for freedom, without their own home and friends,” says Remigijus Šimašius, Mayor of Vilnius. „I am very grateful that not only institutions, but also a multitude of private initiatives are taking care of their everyday life and their emotional well-being. Let’s help the new residents of Vilnius to feel at home here until they can return to their homeland.”
Lithuanian and Ukrainian artists Raminta Naujanytė-Bjelle, Gabrielė Vilkickytė, Edgaras Lubys, Hey!, Nadya Adamčiuk, Enko Olena and Nadya Adamčiuk will perform at the festival.
„This year has been special: since the very first week of the war, we have been friends and organised camps for thousands of children and mothers who fled the war and came here. Hundreds of stories have stuck in the hearts of every volunteer we have worked with. When you meet those children, you realise how personal everything is. Let’s help them have a warmer Christmas – around 4000 Ukrainian children are waiting for a celebration in Vilnius”, invites Laurynas Šeškus, the event organiser and producer.
All children who register on ukrainiankids.lt will receive Christmas gift bags containing mandarin oranges, sweets and souvenirs.
All the treats and gifts have been arranged by volunteers, people and companies donating in good will that have organised weekend camps for thousands of Ukrainian children every week since the first day of the war, bringing together people who have given away more than 3000 bicycles to children over the summer.
The City of Vilnius has also allocated support for the initiative of Laurynas Šeškus. This time, it is taking care of the concert stage and other equipment necessary for the public event.
Anyone willing to contribute to the event can still do that contacting: dalia@nordplay.tv, valdone@nordplay.tv or laurynas@nordplay.tv. Financial support for gift bags and hot doughnuts is welcome, contributing to: VšĮ Pilietinė medija LT657044060008016948
Marketing and Communications Department, vrt@vilnius.lt