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06 July 2007 19:40

Kateryna Yushchenko Takes Part in the Krayina Mriy Fourth International Festival Opening Ceremony

July 6, 2007, Head of the Supervisory Board of the Ukraine 3000 International Charitable Fund Kateryna Yushchenko took part in the Krayina Mriy Fourth International Ethnic Festival opening ceremony. The festival, traditionally held at the Kyiv Spivoche Pole during the Kupala midsummer fest, will take place on July 6-8, 2007.

The Krayina Mriy [Dreams Land] festival was initiated by renowned musician, the VV group leader Oleh Skrypka, in 2004. The Ukraine 3000 International Charitable Fund has been its co-organizer through all this years as a part of its Program to Support Folk Traditions. Mr. Skrypka is member of the Fund’s Supervisory Board.

Addressing the audience, Mrs. Yushchenko said, “Due to the unmatched Oleh Skrypka and his family, due to your participation the mix of styles, cultures, authenticity, the present and the past turns to a really sounds like a singing dialog.”

In her speech Mrs. Kateryna dwelled on one of the festival’s most important aspects. “Some of you sported vyshyvanka embroidered shirts for this festival for the first time in their lives. Others made their first acquaintance with Ukrainian folk trades and started their traditional Ukrainian ware collection. Still others first heard and fall in love forever with ethnic songs. In other words, due to the Krayina Mriy, many Ukrainians, especially young ones, became true patriots,” she said.

Mrs. Yushchenko thanked Oleh Skrypka for his contribution into the popularization of the traditional Ukrainian culture.

“Each of us has a Dreams Land of their own. I hope that, having visited this festival, you’ll understand what it used to be for your ancestor, what it is for you, and what it will be for your children. Together we’ll create our Dreams Land,” Mrs. Kateryna said.

The Krayina Mriy festival opening ceremony featured the Burdon Lviv-based group, Carpathiana (Great Britain), and the headliner, world music star, French singer Chaled.

The Krayina Mriy Fourth International Ethnic Festival will be held at the Kyiv Spivoche Pole on July 6-8, 2007. By a tradition, the festival brings together most interesting representatives of ethnic culture throughout Ukraine, as well as guests from abroad.

In the three days Ukraine’s biggest ethnic festival will introduce its audience to stunning ethnic culture of over ten countries: France, Hungary, Bulgaria, Finland, Belarus, Poland, Turkey. etc.

World music star Khaled from France has first visited Ukraine within the framework of the festival. He practices a mix of genres and styles, combining Middle East tunes with rap and hip-hop elements, French cabaret, African ethno, and European club beat.

Among other festival participants are Red Cardell (France), Varttina (Finland), Anselmo Crew (Hungary), Siaudela (Lithuania), Carpathiana (Great Britain), along with renowned Ukrainian groups and solo performers: Oleh Skrypka, Taras Kompanichenko, Yarema Vadym Shevchuk, Drevo, Hurtopravtsi, Bozhychi, Nadobryden, et. al.

The concerts are taking place at several sets simultaneously: two folk stages, folk dance workshop, rites stage, Kobzar stage, and Fira mobile stage. Master classes in traditional folk trades are being held at the Masters Lane. Children will be glad to visit the Children’s Meadow, and the gourmets will meet with delicious ethnic cuisines.