KMA Fest
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Brought together by the spirit of solidarity, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy students, faculty and alumni have been conducting aid to the war effort in various university organizations and initiatives. One such organization is the student group “Взаємодопомога KMA” (Mutual Aid), that was created in February 2022 to help evacuate students from combat zones. As the war exploded, the mission expanded to also help Kyiv-Mohyla students, alumni, and faculty serving in the military defending Ukraine in the line of fire.
The group planned to focus on training for self-defense, but after 24th February students realized that the main task for them is raising funds for medical needs and defensive-protective military gear for their fellow Kyiv-Mohyla combatants risking their lives.
Yet another focus was to keep spirits high on campus and among soldiers.
The group organized a festival with stand-up performances, and art exhibits to raise funds. They also conducted lectures on how to protect, defend, and support themselves, their families, and their community during the barbaric Russian war.
The KMA Fest at the university campus included 13 student organizations, 452 guests, 6 hours of art and entertainment. The event raised more than 90 000 UAH ($ 3000 USD) for the purchase of 6 binoculars and 20 monocular telescopes for the unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where Vyacheslav Ageev, a graduate of NaUKMA serves.
The KMA Fest brought together the Kyiv-Mohyla community to lift their spirits and provide a sense of solidarity while student organizations such as “MA Stand UP”, a musical performance by “KUT” and workshop by the NaUKMA Reading Club, and many other activities provided continuous programming. Everyone was asked to draw or paint a greeting that was sent to the military defenders.
Everyone willing could draw a painting for sending it to Ukraine’s defenders.