Ukrainians sharing home culture at Chalke History Festival
It's been set up by the Salisbury Community Hub for Ukraine
Last updated 28th Jun 2024
A woman living in Salisbury after she fled the war in Ukraine has been educating people on her country's culture at this weeks Chalke History Festival.
Oksana Prokopiv is part of the Salisbury Community Hub for Ukraine - which has been renamed Ukrainian Community United - and has been sharing traditional cuisine from her country, displaying home decoration and hand-made toys at the Broad Chalke festival.
The tent, decorated in the style of a traditional Ukrainian home, includes décor from Oksana's grandparents house.
"I'm very, very proud to take this and show people around the world how it looks like because it's about our traditional our cultures and about our history," she said.
While Greatest Hits Radio were visiting Oksana, children were able to make dumplings - called Varenyky - and create yarn dolls with guidance from Ukrainian experts.
We asked Oksana if the war with Russia, which started in February 2022, risked Ukrainian traditions and cultures being wiped out.
"That couldn't happen," she said, stating that Ukraine will be victorious.
Oksana said: "We are a nation and we've got our identity and our history, real, true history, and our traditions and culture.
"We just want to live, to be happy, to live with our family, to travel around the world, to explore other countries.
"Please stay with Ukraine."
She praised the support of local people in Salisbury for helping the community hub, which is now being run by Ukrainian's being hosted in the city.
Oksana said that working together shows what can be achieved: "I always tell my team together we are stronger."
'Bombs everywhere'
Oksana told us that she still has family in Ukraine - and that is causing her worry every night when she reads the news.
She told us there had been bombs near to her home in the Carpathian region of Ukraine.
"It's bombs everywhere," she said, "We don't know where it fell out and how many people will die."
Oksana added: "We just would like to be independent because I think everyone wants to be happy and just live."