Civic activists want to encourage more kindness among Mariupol residents, thus initiate a new holiday.
On November 13 Mariupol will celebrate the World Kindness Day for the first time. On the occasion of the holiday local civic initiatives in partnership with local authorities and business community organized an entertaining program for orphans and children living in vulnerable families. Organizers explained the origin of the event’s idea as well as anticipated the event’s program speaking via Skype at a press-briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center (UCMC) in the framework of the project “Spokesperson of peaceful life” implemented with the support of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Federal Republic of Germany.
How the holiday came to Mariupol
“We were thinking what type of event we should hold to encourage more warmth and kindness to appear in our city, when we learnt about this holiday. We were surprised to find out that it is celebrated all around the world since 1998, but in Ukraine no one is aware of it. Our idea is to present to these children a ray of kindness, warmth and understanding,” said Tetyana Knysh, deputy of Mariupol City Council, author of the initiative. “If children know something good is done for them, I think, they will grow up kinder,” added Oksana Hrynko, Head of the culture and tourism department at the Mariupol City Council.
What’s on agenda?
Festivities will start with a concert. A total of 230 children aged 5-8 have been invited to attend the concert. They will also receive presents. Civic initiatives helped find those who most need public support.
“Unfortunately, social services cannot always embrace everyone with their attention. That’s why we asked them to help find such children and such families,” noted Knysh.
After the concert children will visit the drama theatre. Animators will entertain them, while members of the retro car club “Chayka” volunteered to photograph children against the retro cars on the background. Children will also have a chance to taste Turkish cuisine – provided by Mariupol Turkish community, as well as military (field) cuisine.
According to the organizers’ plans, the event is to become an annual tradition not only for Mariupol but will also spread to other cities of Ukraine.
UCMC note: Mariupol is located on the Sea of Azov, in the south of Donetsk region. It has been strongly affected by the military actions that take place just 30 km east of the city.