Culture, Customs, and Choirs

During the Glasnost and Perestroika era of the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Ukrainian diaspora in the UK took advantage of a slightly more relaxed approach to international travel and invited cultural groups from Ukraine to visit the UK to perform. These visits sometimes corresponded with larger cultural festivals, such as the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales, or regional arts events such as the Bradford Festival. Prior to this, other diaspora arts groups had toured in Europe, North America and Canada, but it was very rare for groups from Ukraine to do the same. This period was a time of cultural revival and a hope that Ukrainian culture could be opened up for the world to share and enjoy. This collection is a selection of footage from different choir performances and Ukrainian cultural customs captured on video by the UVAS.