On October 27, the annual International Youth Creativity Festival "Põhjatäht 2024 | Північна зірка 2024 | Northern Star 2024" took place in Tallinn. This festival, established in 2001, is organized by the Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia and the Ukrainian Youth Association in Estonia, with support from the Ministry of Culture of the Estonian Republic and the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia.
Each autumn, the "Northern Star" festival brings together talented participants from various countries to showcase Ukrainian art, preserve and promote the cultural traditions and rituals of the Ukrainian people, and discover and support young gifted artists. The festival fosters close creative ties between Estonia, Ukraine, and other countries, promoting the values of cultural unity and exchange.
This year’s festival in Tallinn brought together Ukrainian ensembles from Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the United Kingdom, and other countries. They showcased not only their artistic talents but also a deep love for Ukrainian culture. Their participation was a testament to their desire to carry the Ukrainian spirit into the world, demonstrating the richness of Ukraine's cultural heritage and traditions.
On behalf of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia, Counselor Oleksandr Kushnir addressed the festival participants. In his speech, he noted: "Today's festival in ancient Tallinn is a highly symbolic event, as the russian aggressor seeks to deny Ukraine's right to exist, to its own language, history, culture, and identity.
From the very first days of russia's full-scale invasion of our country, Ukrainian artists have been directly involved in defending the state or are now continuing the fight in the cultural sphere.
Cultural and artistic figures, both on the front lines and on concert stages, lead by example, fostering the consolidation of Ukrainian society, strengthening patriotism, and inspiring citizens of other nations to support Ukraine in every possible way."
Special thanks to the Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia and the Ukrainian Youth Association in Estonia for organizing and hosting this exceptional festival. We are also sincerely grateful to the Estonian Ministry of Culture for supporting this project.