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The UKRO Ukrainian Culture Festival invites artists to take part
In October 2026, the Italian town of Treviglio (in the province of Bergamo) will host UKRO – Festival della Cultura Ucraina — one of the most famous cultural events of the Ukrainian diaspora in Italy. The UKRO Festival was founded in 2015 and has been promoting Ukrainian culture in various Italian cities for over ten years. During this time, it has brought together hundreds of artists, dozens of community organisations and thousands of spectators, becoming an important platform for cultural dialogue between Ukraine and Italy. The organisers invite the following to take part: 🎤 singers and music bands; 💃 dance troupes; 🎭 theatre groups; 🎨 artists and folk craftspeople; 👗 designers of Ukrainian clothing; 🍯 producers of traditional Ukrainian goods and gastronomic brands. According to UA Service HUB, both professional and amateur creative groups, individual performers, decorative and applied arts craftspeople, community organisations and entrepreneurs representing Ukrainian culture are eligible to take part in the festival. To take part, you must submit an application to the organisers and agree on the format of your performance or product presentation. Places are limited, so it is recommended that you register in advance. Festival guests can look forward to two days filled with Ukrainian music, folklore, art, gastronomy, creative workshops and a friendly atmosphere. Please note that a coach transfer will be organised for participants from southern Italy: 🚌 departure from Naples — 3 October 2026; 🚌 return from Treviglio — 4 October after the festival has ended; 📍 arrival in Naples — on the morning of 5 October. If you’d like to showcase your work, reach a new audience, meet fellow artists and join the largest Ukrainian cultural movement in Italy — UKRO is waiting just for you! For detailed information on participation and registration, please contact the organisers via the festival’s official Facebook and Instagram pages.
NAU represented the Ukrainian community in Italy at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026
From 24 to 26 June, the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 (URC2026) – one of the leading international conferences dedicated to Ukraine’s recovery – took place in Gdańsk (Poland). NAU – the Italian network of Ukrainian associations – took part in the forum, reaffirming the active role of the Ukrainian diaspora in the international dialogue on the country’s post-war reconstruction. The conference brought together heads of state and government, representatives of international financial institutions, the diplomatic corps, local authorities, the business community and civil society. A key component of the event was the participation of Ukrainian organisations abroad, which are becoming increasingly active in forging international partnerships and supporting Ukraine. According to UA Service HUB, initial contacts were established during the conference with the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine, opening up opportunities for further cooperation. Talks were also held with representatives of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, diplomats, heads of Ukrainian regions, international partners and representatives of Italian business, in particular Confindustria. Discussions centred on attracting investment, post-war reconstruction, the development of international partnerships and the role of civil society in Ukraine’s reconstruction. NAU was represented by the organisation’s president, Dmytro Shchukin, who held a series of working meetings with representatives of Ukrainian ministries, international organisations, local authorities and the business community. “Reconstruction is not just about rebuilding buildings and infrastructure. It is, first and foremost, about trust, partnership and strong ties between people, communities, states and business. It is civil society organisations that can serve as an effective bridge between Ukraine, Italy and the whole of Europe,” NAU states. The network emphasises that the agreements reached during URC2026 will form the basis for further working meetings and joint projects in the coming months. It should be noted that NAU continues to work on strengthening cooperation between the Ukrainian community in Italy, Ukrainian state institutions, international partners and the business sector, thereby contributing to Ukraine’s recovery and the development of new opportunities for Ukrainians in Europe.
Ukrainian Book Festival in Milan brings together writers, publishers and cultural figures
On 30–31 May, Milan successfully hosted the Second Ukrainian Book Festival — a major international cultural event that brought together Ukrainian and Italian audiences around literature, art, photography, fashion and meaningful intercultural dialogue. Over the course of two days, the historic Villa Scheibler became a space for the Ukrainian word, culture, creativity and international cooperation. This year, the festival brought together around thirty Ukrainian authors from Ukraine, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Hungary, Slovenia, Poland and other European countries, as well as nearly twenty Ukrainian and Italian publishing houses. The event’s programme featured book presentations, creative meetings, discussions, exhibitions and cultural initiatives aimed at promoting Ukrainian culture abroad. Business Woman magazine served as the festival’s media partner and was prominently featured in the event’s programme. Nadiya Bereziuk, director of Business Woman magazine’s office in Italy, played a key role in organising the festival. It is thanks to her active involvement, many years of work with the Ukrainian community and the development of cultural initiatives that the Ukrainian voice continues to be heard far beyond the borders of the homeland. Nadiya moderated important discussions on cultural diplomacy, women’s leadership and international communication. One such key event was the panel discussion ‘The Global Voice of Ukrainian Women: Leadership, Media and Women’s Diplomacy in Times of Change’, which featured the directors of the magazine’s international offices: Nadiya Bereziuk (Italy), Oksana Shoorlemmer (Germany), Anna Voronova (Portugal), Kristina Giresh (Hungary), Galina Malovšek (Slovenia) and Zhanna Zhukova (Italy, Naples). The participants discussed the role of women’s leadership in the face of global challenges, the development of Ukrainian international communities, cultural diplomacy and the importance of the media as a tool for supporting Ukraine in the world. As part of this discussion, Zhanna Zhukova, President of the CRASA APS association, also spoke about the charity project ‘Calendar of Ukrainian Women in Italy’, which offers successful and active Ukrainian women an opportunity to make their mark. In addition, the UA SERVICE HUB platform was discussed as a promising and powerful tool for finding Ukrainian specialists abroad. The festival was organised by Biblioteca Ukraina Più – Milano and “Ucraina Più – Milano”. Such events once again demonstrate how important lively dialogue, cooperation and mutual support are for Ukrainians around the world. The second Ukrainian Book Festival has once again confirmed that Ukrainian books remain not only a cultural heritage but also a powerful tool for preserving national identity, fostering international dialogue and uniting Ukrainians in different corners of the world.
Ukrainian teams of Italy will compete for the Unity Supercup
🇮🇹 On Sunday 17 May, Ukrainian football teams from across Italy will compete for the Super Cup of the Unity of Ukrainians in Italy 🏆 The champions and runners-up from three regions of the country will face off on the pitch: 🔹 Northern Italy • ‘Trident’ (Venice) — champions • ‘Bukovina’ (Monza) — runners-up 🔹 Central Italy • ‘Legion’ (Rome) — champions • ‘Goodfellows’ (Rome) — runners-up 🔹 Southern Italy • ‘Trident’ (Caserta) — champions • ‘Storm’ (Salerno) — runners-up According to data from UA Service HUB, the tournament winners will receive medals and prizes. Among the sponsors of the Super Cup is the owner of the ‘Anastasia’ restaurant chain, Mykola Oleksiv. “It is a great honour for me to support this tournament and reward the winners with prize money,” said Mykola Oleksiv. The prize money is as follows: 🥇 €500 — 1st place 🥈 €300 — 2nd place 🥉 €200 — 3rd place
Two Ukrainian associations unite to hold a charity event in Naples
A charity lunch was held in Naples to mark Mother’s Day, bringing together the Ukrainian community and friends of Ukraine in an atmosphere of warmth, unity and solidarity. The event was organised by the CRASA and Dateci le Ali associations at the ‘Anastasia’ restaurant. According to UA Service HUB, the main aim of the event was to present and promote Ukrainian culture in Naples, showcasing its beauty, depth and traditions through art, poetry and traditional dress. The guest of honour for the evening was Oksana Shoorlemmer, a designer and volunteer from Germany, who presented her book ‘Mama’s Shirt’ and a unique collection of embroidered shirts. Oksana Shoorlemmer’s collection provided a wonderful opportunity for guests to gain a deeper understanding of Ukrainian culture, the symbolism of embroidery and the fusion of tradition with contemporary art. A distinctive feature of the works was the combination of traditional Ukrainian embroidery with poetry, which gave each piece a special meaning and emotional depth. During the event, a prize draw and a charity raffle were organised for the guests. Participants had the opportunity not only to support a good cause but also to spend the evening in a cosy and friendly atmosphere. Media support for the event was provided by the Italian office of BusinessWomen magazine. Incidentally, two representatives of the magazine were present at the event – Oksana Shoorlemmer and Zhanna Zhukova, who is also the president of the CRASA APS association. The evening took place in a warm atmosphere of unity, support and solidarity, proving once again that Ukrainian culture is capable of bringing people together in different corners of the world.
"To know in order to understand": "Ukraine is Ukraine" festival continues in Milan
‘Discovering to understand’—this is the very idea behind the ‘Ukraine is Ukraine’ festival, organised by the Associazione Boristene with the support of the Comune di Milano, the Regione Lombardia and Ukrainian institutions. This year, the festival spans three days, each dedicated to a specific aspect of Ukrainian culture and history. The first day was packed with a variety of conferences, which not only captured the audience’s interest but also provided a genuine intellectual journey through time and space. Guests at the event had the opportunity to learn about prominent figures in Ukrainian history and culture. The morning session of the programme was devoted to the history of Ukraine. Professor Yaroslav Hrytsak spoke about the era of the Ukrainian hetmans, whilst Professor Kryvda presented the most prominent female figures — from the Middle Ages to the present day. Portraits of historical figures, displayed during the event, created a special atmosphere in the hall. After the lunch break, the journey continued. Festival participants were transported to the stages of the world’s most famous theatres, where Ukrainian dancers performed, and also set off for the Sahara Desert in the footsteps of Sofia Yablonska — a tireless traveller whose books will soon be published in Italy by Infinito Edizioni. The end of the day brought genuine emotions and smiles to the guests: a Ukrainian couple of travel bloggers showcased — and seemed to let everyone experience — the incredible beauty of Ukraine. 🇺🇦 Upcoming festival events: 🎹 11 May, 19:00 — Residenza Vignale Candlelit concert by Nik Sheva — an Italian-Ukrainian pianist and composer. 🎬 14 May, 7.00 pm — Cinema Arcobaleno The festival’s closing event — a screening of a documentary film dedicated to the presence of Ukrainians in Hollywood.
Newly appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to Italy met with community representatives
On 18 April, a meeting was held in Rome between representatives of the Ukrainian community and the newly appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to Italy, Ihor Brusylo. The event was organised by the Embassy of Ukraine in Italy. The meeting was attended by activists, volunteers and representatives of the diaspora, including representatives of the associations NAU, CRASA and Dateci Le Ali. The main aim of the event was to facilitate an open dialogue between the new Ambassador and the Ukrainian community, as well as to discuss current issues regarding cooperation, support for Ukrainians and the development of initiatives in Italy. Participants discussed opportunities for coordinating joint projects and strengthening communication between diplomatic institutions and civil society. Among those present was Alona Siwerska, a representative of the CRASA APS association. During the meeting, she spoke about the organisation’s activities and presented completed projects and initiatives, including the UA Service HUB platform based on the website work.crasa.team. As a symbolic gesture, Siwerska presented the Ambassador with a calendar entitled ‘Ukrainian Women in Italy’ – another of the association’s charitable projects aimed at promoting Ukrainian culture in Italy. It should be noted that such meetings are an important part of the interaction between diplomatic institutions and the Ukrainian community abroad, helping to strengthen ties, support the community and develop new joint initiatives.
Truck with 12 tonnes of chocolates stolen in Italy
According to Nestlé, a large consignment of products – around 12 tonnes of bars – was stolen in Italy. A company spokesperson said that a lorry carrying 413,793 units of the new KitKat product range was stolen last week whilst being transported between production and distribution centres.
Magnaveg vegan festival to be held in Naples
‘Magnaveg’ began as an event that brings together food, education and community, showcasing Mediterranean traditions in a contemporary way. Over two days in the Spanish Quarter, a programme of lectures, workshops, artistic events, meetings and plant-based food initiatives will take place as part of a project combining urban regeneration, education and culture. ‘Magnaveg’ is an event open to the public, designed to focus attention on the Mediterranean dimension of change: a ‘gentle revolution’ that begins with daily habits, food and relationships and culminates in a broader vision of sustainable development.