UkraineFest 2026, the largest celebration of Ukraine’s Independence Day in Wiltshire, will take place at the Swindon Town Gardens on Saturday 22 August.
Last year’s UkraineFest, organised by Anastasiia Banatska and Swindon Welcomes Ukraine, attracted more than 4,000 visitors, and this year’s festival promises to be even bigger, brighter and more diverse.
“UkraineFest is a free event where people can experience Ukrainian culture, food and music - all in one place, at the same time,” said Anastasiia.
“It’s part of Ukraine in the middle of Swindon, giving local people the opportunity to truly dive into its atmosphere.”
Anastasiia added: “We will have a large art area featuring not only paintings, but also traditional embroidery and weaving. Visitors will also be able to take part in creative workshops for both children and adults.”
Anastasiia herself, originally from Ukrainian city Rivne, came to Britain with her children, now aged five and 16, amid the chaos following Russia's criminal invasion of her nation in 2022.
Mayor of Rivne Viktor Shakyrzian recently visited Swindon, meeting councillors, community leaders and Swindon's Ukrainian residents including Anastasiia, as discussions continued about a twinning link.
Anastasiia is also organising the documentary photo project Home with an Open Heart, which will make its debut at UkraineFest. Created by photographer Yuliia Shevchenko, the exhibition tells the stories of local families who opened their homes to Ukrainians through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
“It’s about the people who welcomed Ukrainian families into their homes,” said Anastasiia. “We wanted to share their motivations, experiences and the challenges they faced. The project started in Swindon and will travel across the UK.
"I am currently working on several other community projects, including the creation of an Art Space. However, one of my most important projects for me is the Ukrainian Saturday School, which we recently launched and are now actively looking for sponsorship.
"Many Ukrainian children who arrived in the UK at a young age, including my own son, now speak mainly English.
'That’s why it is so important to help them preserve their native language, culture, and identity.”
In Ukraine Anastasiia was a business owner for more than 12 years, specialising in events organisation. Her work included everything from family centre services to organising school
excursions.
Today she works in promotions and sales but hopes to go back into business here when this is practicable. She has ideas for celebrations and festivals catering to people of all walks of life.
"I think that for everyone it was very hard to leave Ukraine, but because we didn't really have a choice, within one day I think most of the families with children made this decision, and I did the same.
"On the second day of thewar I heard bombs in my town. I looked at my children; my little one was one year old. I took the children, two children, two bags and I just went. In my head it was just one word, 'Abroad, abroad, abroad!'"
An uncle arranged a move to Slovakia: "Then we felt so much pressure because people\ around were afraid that war would come to them. From the beginning [of the war] we thought it would be three days; no-one thought it would be four years.
"At that moment no-one knew anything. There wasn't any opportunity to stay anywhere long term, but the UK created the first long term programme, where Ukrainian families could live with a host family for six months and longer.
"This offered a feeling of some stability and safety."
Anastasiia and her children first arrived in Marlborough, then moved to Aldbourne, and now live in Royal Wootton Bassett. She will be eternally grateful to the hosts and sponsors who helped and supported her and her young family as she found her feet.
"Now I have an English mother and father in Marlborough and an English grandmother in
Aldbourne!
"When I arrived, I was in so much stress, and I think every single Ukrainian was the same. When I saw these lovely people who smiled at me I couldn't believe it! 'A person I don't know at all - why are you smiling at me?'"
She laughs at the memory.
“I am grateful for every smile from each person. It helped me settle in, and after some time\ I felt I was in a position where I wanted to share and give back."
Within three months of arriving in the UK, Anastasiia organised Wiltshire’s first Ukrainian festival, which took place in Marlborough in 2022.
Soon afterwards, she joined the Swindon Welcomes Ukraine team as an event organiser and
now chairs the organisation.
“I am grateful to be part of Swindon Welcomes Ukraine team - every single person adds something special to the team and makes a difference.
"Special thank you to Swindon Borough Council and the Warm Welcome Team for their continued support and for standing by our community projects."
Anastasiia recently found herself pondering what she would do if money didn't matter.
"I would do charity projects and events. At the moment it's my passion. You reap what you sow.
"It doesn't matter whether you're from Ukraine or from England or anywhere in the world, unite!
"I believe that when people unite together they can grow something, they can build something. Now I want to organise international events here, as well as initiatives that promote health, wellbeing, and sport."
UkraineFest details can be found at www.ukraineswindon.com
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