Relocated to the village of Hnidyn in the Kyiv region, the Donetsk Youth Palace "Yunist" held a vibrant autumn creativity festival, "Pumpkin Fest: Autumn ART Quest," which brought together the palace's pupils and young people from Donetsk region who are currently temporarily residing in Kyiv region.
The main idea behind the event was the Ukrainian pumpkin tradition, which unites generations. Over the course of a month, children and young people explored the pumpkin as a natural superfood and the embodiment of harmony, abundance, and fertility of the Ukrainian land. This took the form of quests, games, and creative tasks that combined learning and entertainment.
The creative stage was a particular highlight: ordinary pumpkins were transformed into real art objects—compositions, woolen crafts, soft anti-stress pillows, and other creations using a wide variety of techniques. Each work radiated warmth, imagination, and love for the native land, and the pumpkin became a symbol of the hard work and generosity of Ukrainians.
The final week passed in a festive atmosphere: a themed photo zone was set up for guests, and the culmination was a cooking competition, where the tables were filled with a veritable parade of flavors — from fragrant cookies and pies to delicate panna cotta and traditional pumpkin porridge.
The festival ended with a tasting of delicacies and an award ceremony for the most active participants.
Pumpkin Fest gave the children and youth of Donetsk Oblast the warmth of shared creativity and showed that Ukrainian traditions live in our hearts and are passed down from generation to generation.