The first All-Ukrainian Nativity Play Carnival, Vertepia, took place in the village of Mshanets in the Sambir region. The initiative brought together 113 nativity play groups from across Ukraine, as well as engaged Ukrainians from different countries. The event was part of the nationwide campaign Christmas Birds.

The Kozytskyi Charity Foundation was honored to join the organization of the cultural and charitable initiative Vertepia, supporting and fostering Ukraine’s authentic traditions.

“Promoting Ukrainian culture and art, and preserving our traditions and customs, has always been and will remain a core focus of the Foundation’s work. Investing in culture means investing in decommunization and the protection of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Preserving traditions means preserving the memory of the Ukrainian people,” emphasized Zinovii Kozytskyi, founder of the Kozytskyi Charity Foundation.

The festival was co-organized by Father Roman Hrom and brigade chaplain Ivan Halo. The event was supported by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation within the BoikoMandry grant initiative, with the Patriarchal Foundation A Wise Cause acting as a partner.

The festival began with a joint carol service at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Participants then proceeded to the main stage, where they sang carols and enjoyed Christmas-themed theatrical performances.

During the festival, the nationwide nativity play campaign Christmas Birds raised approximately UAH 1.3 million to support drones and electronic warfare equipment for the 80th Air Assault Galician Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Photo: Christmas Birds (facebook.com/rizdvyani.ptashky), Roman Krasniak