Children Of The Resolution

All the colours… FRI3FE23

atest press release from St Patrick’s National School, issued on Friday, March 3rd 2023…

The Ukrainian and St Patrick’s school communities came together today to celebrate a Ukrainian Cultural Day filled to the brim with traditional dance, music, drama, food and games.

Nineteen Ukrainian pupils have been welcomed by the school in the last year and have become a huge part of the school community.

This prompted Rachel Harper to approach the families of the pupils to organise a special day to showcase their traditions to acquaint the school with Masliana, one of the brightest and most cheerful holidays in Ukraine to celebrate the beginning of Spring.

Pupils from junior infants to sixth class were given the opportunity to experience Ukrainian activities from playing a dumpling target game, to partaking in a traditional dance class and even eating traditional pancakes. A drama showcasing traditional heroes, Kozaks, was performed by the Ukrainian students with singing and dancing throughout. Pupils and staff wore blue and yellow for the occasion.

“Cultural interaction on a day like today allows you to communicate without words, at an emotional human level. It has enriched us all today and allowed us a deeper understanding of the amazing Ukrainian traditions and culture,” Principal Rachel Harper commented, whilst munching on one of those pancake thingys.

As part of the day’s celebrations, the Ukrainian families living in Greystones shared information and knowledge about the positive aspects of their heritage, traditions and culture.

“It was so uplifting to celebrate the traditions of my home country with all the community in St Patricks in the midst of the difficulties we face,” added Sasha Sydorenko. Whilst also nibbling on one of those pancake thingys.

Last week, to mark the one-year anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the pupils in St Patricks N.S. designed and wrote individual messages to be displayed on a Tree of Peace in the grounds of Coolnagreina, Tiglin, the home of many Ukrainian families. In solidarity with their Ukrainian friends, a ceremony was attended by Archbishop Michael Jackson and the Minister for Justice Simon Harris who showed their support for those families who had fled their own country.

You can check out last week’s Tree Of Peace ceremony here, and explore more Ukrainian news around Greystones here.

You can check out the full gallery of pics from today right about here.