VESNA FEST! BRINGS THE SPIRIT OF UKRAINIAN SPRING TO WOOLWICH WORKS THIS MAY

A CELEBRATION OF UKRAINIAN CULTURE COMES TO SOUTH EAST LONDON THIS MAY BANK HOLIDAY (2 – 5 MAY)

This spring, Woolwich Works will transform into a vibrant showcase of Ukrainian culture as it hosts the inaugural Vesna Fest! between 2 – 5 May, including Bank Holiday Monday.  The four-day festival will see a unique takeover by contemporary Ukrainian artists and a rich programme brimming with art, culture and conversation.  

Highlights include traditional dances, soul-stirring poetry readings, painting workshops and craft drop-ins for families – not to mention potent Kyiv Mules for the adults!  Ukrainian spring rituals mark new beginnings; revival and hope and it is this spirit that the organisers are bringing to the stunning setting of Woolwich Works in early May.  Festival-goers will be able to experience the vibrant sounds, tastes, and rhythms of Ukraine in an immersive and family-friendly setting.

Vesna Fest! at Woolwich Works this May

Over the course of the festival, Woolwich Works will host a diverse lineup of performances, featuring Ukrainian dance ensembles, folk musicians and interactive workshops. There will also be the chance to explore a bustling craft market (4 May), filled with traditional Ukrainian crafts, textiles, and artisanal goods, alongside an authentic culinary experience showcasing classic dishes such as borscht, varenyky (dumplings), and holubtsi (stuffed cabbage rolls).

Liat Rosenthal, Head of Creative Programming at Woolwich Works commented:  “We are delighted to be able to collaborate with the local Ukrainian community, the Ukrainian Arts Hub and The University of Greenwich to host the first-ever Vesna Fest!.  Woolwich Works is the perfect venue to capture the spirit of Ukrainian spring – a place where tradition meets contemporary creativity, and where people from all backgrounds can come together to champion the country's culture.  This is a celebration of community, culture and resilience.”

Programme highlights include:

Opening Night Party – Friday 2 May, 7:30pm (Visitors’ Book Cafe)Celebrate the launch of Vesna Fest! at the Visitors’ Book Cafe with Ukrainian delicacies, live performances, and DJ Vadon playing modern Ukrainian music. Guests can enjoy rousing speeches from curators, sip Kyiv Mules, and preview two exhibitions: United for Ukraine and Identity (free, booking recommended).

United for Ukraine Exhibition – Monday 28 Apr to Friday 9 May (Visitors’ Book Cafe and Coopers Foyer)A vibrant, multi-generational art exhibition celebrating hope, unity and resilience, featuring work from artists of all ages, curated by Ukrainian Arts Hub (free entry).

Identity – Friday 2 May to Monday 5 May (Knight Gallery and Workers’ Bar)Over 30 contemporary Ukrainian artists explore stories of transformation, resilience, and cultural identity through diverse media, curated by Tetiana Voronova (free entry).

(Re-)Imagining Ukraine: Culture in Times of Conflict – Saturday 3 May, 11:30am (Coopers Studio)An illustrated talk exploring the history of Ukrainian culture and its resilience in the face of war, presented by Dr Peter Vlachos (University of Greenwich) and Victoria Stepanets, an independent Ukrainian art curator, currently based in London (free, booking advised).

Letters on War and Love – Saturday 3 May, 2:00pm (Coopers Studio)How do civilians and soldiers deal with the psychological suffering caused by war? Semi-staged readings of battlefield letters and frontline poetry revealing the emotional depth of life during wartime, in both English and Ukrainian (free, booking advised).

Ukrainian Open Mic Night – Saturday 3 May, 7:30pmAn inclusive, creative and joyful evening of spoken word, music and artistic expression celebrating Ukrainian resilience and cultural diversity (free entry).

Ukrainian Craft Fair – Sunday 4 May, from 10:00amA full-day craft market bringing together the best of London's Ukrainian independent crafters, designers, artists and makers.  Drop-in and explore a diverse mix of artworks, products and items, to match a range of tastes and budgets (free entry).

Crafternoon – Monday 5 May, 10:30am–12:00pm (Ropekeepers Studio - four separate sessions)A family-friendly workshop where children decorate their own paper pysanky eggs, inspired by the traditional centuries-old Ukrainian craft (donation-based, booking required).

Ukrainian Dance Workshop – Monday 5 May, 3:00pm (Ropekeepers Studio)A dynamic beginner-friendly session led by Vlada Bulavina, blending modern Ukrainian music with expressive, storytelling movement.  This session is open to all levels and is perfect for anyone who wants to move, connect, and experience Ukrainian culture in a new way. (£16.50, booking required).

For more information, keep an eye on the Woolwich Works website here.