Bratislava, Slovakia, September 19, 2025 - To commemorate the International Day of Peace 2025, UPF Slovakia organized an event focused on Ukraine and entitled "The Road to Peace – With Love to Ukraine."
The varied program was enthusiastically developed this summer by creative ladies from Ukraine who live in or near Bratislava.
UPF Slovakia president Miloš Klas welcomed the audience of about 100 with the words:
UPF organizes events in accordance with UN World Days such as the International Day of Peace. This year is special, as the UN is celebrating its 80th anniversary. And there is another anniversary —the Universal Peace Federation is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
His remarks were followed by the Greek Catholic priest Igor Marusyn, who reminded us that Jesus had come into the world to make peace, setting an example for all to follow.
Two young people moderated the cultural program in Slovak and Ukrainian.
Around 30 dancers, singers, poets, and musicians gave outstanding performances and won the hearts of the guests, among them Roman Yaremko, the First Secretary of the Ukrainian Embassy.
First was a performance by the dance club Silver Grace; then 13-year-old Kateryna Kravchenko sang several songs with much emotion; two very young ballet dancers demonstrated their skills; Oľha Smorkis masterfully played melodies on the string instrument Bandura; Ruslan played on the folk woodwind instrument Sopilka; several poems were recited and songs sung with piano accompaniment; typical plants and foods were presented in words and pictures. The hall exhibited paintings by the artists Tetiana Didenko and Julia Tomesko.
The publisher Juraj Lajda has donated numerous Ukrainian children´s books. His company ‘Ideal’ cooperates with the project "Creative Europe" by distributing free books to schools with refugee children.
The programme concluded with a popular Ukrainian song; many guests joined in singing.
Afterwards many Ukrainians, as well as the Ukrainian Embassy staff expressed their deep gratitude that UPF Slovakia had made the Peace Embassy available for this demonstration of the rich Ukrainian culture.
View the video recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/S4xPcn1b0NA