Kupala Night Festival at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy hosted by Spudeiske Bratstvo NaUKMA’s Student Organization
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Celebrating Ukrainian culture with joy, student life returned to Kyiv-Mohyla Academy with the celebration of the traditional Kupala feast. A previous KMA Fest raised close to 100 000 UAH funds for a unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in which one of the Academy’s graduates serves. This success inspired the student organization 'Spudeiske Bratstvo' to celebrate the annual festival for the Feast of Ivana Kupala. This time they cooperated with the charitable organization ‘Volya’ to raise funds for the purchase of 2 cars for the 93rd brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Spudeiske Bratstvo
Established in 1997, Spudeiske Bratstvo is the oldest student organization in the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy formed to popularize Ukrainian traditions among youth. Spudeiske Bratstvo is organized like a family. For instance, there are ‘bratchyky’ (brothers) and ‘maliuky’ (youngsters), and older students that reinforce the concept of a Ukrainian family that makes students feel part of a friendly and united community.
‘Kupala Night’ Festival
‘Kupala Night’ Festival follows the traditions of an ancient Ukrainian holiday. It is a celebration of summer and of the sun. It usually takes place on the night of July 6-7. Spudeiske Bratstvo tries to preserve all the rituals of the Kupala Night, including jumping over fire, divination, dancing, and wreath weaving.
In past years, this celebration took place in forests and on lawns, but this year it was not possible due to the war, there was a possibility that as all the places where students previously met might be mined. But the Spudeiske Bratstvo found a solution for this problem because this year, the holiday had an especially important purpose. Students partnered with the charitable organization ‘Volya’, which was formed mostly by Kyiv-Mohyla students to raise funds to purchase cars for the 93rd brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. So, this year the annual festival took place in a building of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and was called ‘Urban Kupala Night’. Many traditions were adapted to a city setting for the celebration. Visitors were able to participate in different activities, including a workshop on paramedic help, an auction, lectures by volunteers and NaUKMA teachers, and of course, guests were happy to dance and weave the traditional flower wreaths.
