For the first time in more than two centuries, the event is being held in the Lviv region.
Today, August 24, the national Sorochyn fair opened, which is the largest in Ukraine and the most famous fair and exhibition event outside its borders. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it has survived from the 18th century to the present day. Before the start of the full-scale war, the fair was traditionally held once a year in the penultimate week of August, on the fairground under the open sky in the center of the village of Velyki Sorochyntsi, Myrhorod district, Poltava region.
As a result of the full-scale Russian invasion, the event cannot be held in the classic format, therefore, in order to preserve the tradition of the fair, the organizers decided to hold the presentation of the National Sorochyn Fair in the center of Lviv, namely in the Palace of Arts.
105 participants from all regions of Ukraine, including from Lviv and the region, were represented at the fair. One of these is the social enterprise VBRANI, which has been operating for about two years and enables older craftsmen to feel needed and receive additional funds to meet basic needs or realize their dreams. Over the course of two years, despite all the difficulties, the company scaled several times: it all started with four women in the Lviv geriatric boarding house, and now it is a brand that is known far beyond the borders of the Lviv region, and which unites people from different parts of Ukraine. .
“Lviv is not only the capital of culture, education and authentic Ukrainian traditions, but also the venue of this year’s glorious Sorochyn fair. Our culture is appreciated not only in Europe, but also in the whole world. Sorochyn Fair is one of the venues where the best examples of Ukrainian culture and identity are gathered. The event was made possible by taking into account the possibility of ensuring both law and order and security measures – the availability of shelters. The number of participants in the fair is extremely limited: from three thousand, it was reduced to 100. We thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine, God, and the entire Ukrainian people for the opportunity to celebrate this Independence Day and hold such fairs! Together we will win! Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Glory to Ukraine!” said Ivan Sobko, deputy head of the Lviv OVA, during his congratulatory speech.
14 Ukrainian enterprises producing light industrial goods, 42 producers of craft products and various delicacies (honey, dairy, cheese, sausage products, groceries, sweets, ice cream, teas, etc.), more than 40 masters of folk crafts will trade at the fair. Ukrainian dishes will be presented.
“For several days, our region became the center of craft production, because our region is open to all of Ukraine. The scale of the fair is more modest this year, but we have a unique opportunity to see products from every corner of our country at one location. It is an honor for Lviv Oblast to be the region that hosts this glorious fair, and we will certainly hold it in its original scale after the end of the war. We are ready to continue to hold similar events in order to preserve our cultural traditions, which have been passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years,” said the deputy head of the Lviv OVA Yuriy Buchko.
Svitlana Svishcheva, the head of the Sorochyn Fair project, who at one time resumed the holding of such an event, said that everyone who wants to can taste Ukrainian cuisine in the fresh air of the fairground for four days.
“25 years have passed very quickly, but we continue to organize this fair with love for our region. Before that, our village of several thousand people hosted this world-famous fair, which usually covered an area of more than ten football fields. Every year, our fair gathered more than 5 thousand creative teams and almost as many participants. Today we are in Lviv region and we are extremely grateful for such a hospitable reception. We are holding the event to preserve our traditions for future generations,” said Svitlana Svishcheva.
In addition, the event is supported by the Lviv and Poltava OVAs and is dedicated to the Independence Day of Ukraine. During its implementation, funds are collected for the needs of the Armed Forces, in particular for the 103rd brigade of TRO forces.