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Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Singapore
Ukrainians unite for arts showcase Festival will feature porcelain
dolls, paintings and an a cappella group
dolls, paintings and an a cappella group
May 2, 2008
THERE are only about 200 Ukrainians in Singapore but the close-knit community has come
together to organise the first Ukrainian Arts Festival here.
Titled Celebrate Ukraine!, the festival, which runs till the middle of this month, features paintings
by husband-and-wife duo Dmitriy and Eujeniya Gapchinskiy, porcelain dolls by Tetyana
Fedorova and an a cappella performance by sextet group Pikkardiyska Tertsia.
The move to hold an arts festival showcasing the talents of people from this Eastern European
country arose after Ukraine's Ambassador to Singapore, Dr Viktor Mashtabei, visited the Mint
Museum of Toys at Seah Street.
He then promised to donate Ukrainian dolls to the museum. One thing led to another and the
painting, dolls and
a cappella group were flown from Kiev to Singapore for this event.
Ukraine enjoys close business ties with Singapore. Most of the Ukrainians based here are from
sectors such as research and development, trade, banking and health.
In cosmopolitan Singapore, the only thing they cannot find is an authentic Ukrainian restaurant
serving home-style food. Dr Mashtabei says: 'It has to do with the freshness of the vegetables
and meat. Fresh ingredients are integral to Ukrainian dishes.'
But most are right at home, like the Marchenko family which has been in Singapore for eight
years. Mrs Alla Marchenko, 54, who works for a tour agency, says: 'We really like living in
Singapore. Both my daughters studied in the universities here.'
Although she has a list of favourite Singaporean dishes such as drunken prawns and satay, she
still regularly cooks Ukrainian dishes at home.
The family's favourite is borsh - a hearty soup with meat and vegetables which she says 'is
similar to laksa'.
As for a taste of culture via the arts fest, she says it has 'brought home closer to her'.
The Marchenko family has more to look forward to - the ambassador hopes to bring in a
Ukrainian opera and ballet troupe for next year's festival.
Celebrate Ukraine!: Art For The Young At Heart featuring art and dolls is on from 10am to 8pm daily till next Thursday
at The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane. Admission is free. Pikkardiyska Tertsia - Ukraine's A Cappella Sensation is
on at the Victoria Concert Hall on May 14 at 8pm. Tickets at $20, $30 and $50 from Sistic (tel: 6348-5555 or go to
www.sistic.com.sg).
THERE are only about 200 Ukrainians in Singapore but the close-knit community has come
together to organise the first Ukrainian Arts Festival here.
Titled Celebrate Ukraine!, the festival, which runs till the middle of this month, features paintings
by husband-and-wife duo Dmitriy and Eujeniya Gapchinskiy, porcelain dolls by Tetyana
Fedorova and an a cappella performance by sextet group Pikkardiyska Tertsia.
The move to hold an arts festival showcasing the talents of people from this Eastern European
country arose after Ukraine's Ambassador to Singapore, Dr Viktor Mashtabei, visited the Mint
Museum of Toys at Seah Street.
He then promised to donate Ukrainian dolls to the museum. One thing led to another and the
painting, dolls and
a cappella group were flown from Kiev to Singapore for this event.
Ukraine enjoys close business ties with Singapore. Most of the Ukrainians based here are from
sectors such as research and development, trade, banking and health.
In cosmopolitan Singapore, the only thing they cannot find is an authentic Ukrainian restaurant
serving home-style food. Dr Mashtabei says: 'It has to do with the freshness of the vegetables
and meat. Fresh ingredients are integral to Ukrainian dishes.'
But most are right at home, like the Marchenko family which has been in Singapore for eight
years. Mrs Alla Marchenko, 54, who works for a tour agency, says: 'We really like living in
Singapore. Both my daughters studied in the universities here.'
Although she has a list of favourite Singaporean dishes such as drunken prawns and satay, she
still regularly cooks Ukrainian dishes at home.
The family's favourite is borsh - a hearty soup with meat and vegetables which she says 'is
similar to laksa'.
As for a taste of culture via the arts fest, she says it has 'brought home closer to her'.
The Marchenko family has more to look forward to - the ambassador hopes to bring in a
Ukrainian opera and ballet troupe for next year's festival.
Celebrate Ukraine!: Art For The Young At Heart featuring art and dolls is on from 10am to 8pm daily till next Thursday
at The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane. Admission is free. Pikkardiyska Tertsia - Ukraine's A Cappella Sensation is
on at the Victoria Concert Hall on May 14 at 8pm. Tickets at $20, $30 and $50 from Sistic (tel: 6348-5555 or go to
www.sistic.com.sg).
