On Sunday, 12th April, Culbaba Theatre brought the local community together in Egerton Park to share Ukrainian Easter traditions and to step into the celebration of spring — together.
The ensemble presented a programme of traditional hahilky — ritual spring songs and social dances — while gently guiding guests through the meaning of Easter traditions in Ukraine. With beautiful weather, a warm and responsive audience, bright voices and newly updated costumes, the atmosphere felt open, welcoming, and friendly.
The event remained inclusive and diverse in the most natural sense — with people of all ages, from young children to adults, joining in the dances and games, filling the space with movement, laughter, and ease.
A thoughtful team of volunteers: Olya Volodymyrivna, Olena Horbonos-Andronova, Halyna Barbarenko, supported the day with a range of activities for children, including workshops in making traditional motanka birds, egg decorating, drawing, and outdoor games, with small prizes adding to the excitement.
The gathering concluded with Prayer for Ukraine, bringing everyone together in a shared moment of reflection.
Among those attending were representatives from Rother Voluntary Action, Bexhill Veterans Royal British Legion , and The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, Hastings and Rother branch.
We are sincerely grateful to Rother District Council and the Egerton Park Bexhill administration for their support in making this event possible.
We very much hope that, over time, this may grow into a meaningful local tradition — one that brings together communities, cultures, and shared experiences.
