The second session of the “ART-Space” interactive online camp, organized by the Donetsk Youth Palace “Yunist,” has come to a close. The project, now in its third consecutive year, brought together more than 3,600 children aged 6 to 13 this summer.
The camp’s main feature is its hybrid format, which allowed for a combination of online events with in-person meetings and activities at locations in Kyiv, Odesa, Zolotonosha, and Kam’yanske. Three times a day, the Palace’s instructors led interactive sessions for participants in choreography, vocal training, acting, sports exercises, entertainment, digital creativity, and art meditation.
A special and extremely important aspect of the August session was national and patriotic education, which brought together three key events in August: Ukrainian National Flag Day, Ukrainian Independence Day, and the Day of Remembrance for the Defenders of Ukraine.
The celebration of the blue-and-yellow flag inspired the campers to hold the “Flag of Our Dignity” art challenge and create patriotic talismans symbolizing the unity of our nation. For Independence Day, the children took part in a large-scale program that included an intellectual game quest titled “Ukraine: Through Thorns to the Stars of Our Dreams,” a karaoke battle titled “Melodies of the Independent: Your Turn on Stage,” and a creative workshop called “Designing My Country,” where the children brought their own visions of their homeland’s future to life.
The patriotic series of events concluded with poignant ceremonies marking the Day of Remembrance for the Defenders of Ukraine who died fighting for our country’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Participants took part in a memorial hour titled “A Life Dedicated to Freedom,” expressed their feelings through art activities, and created touching symbolic crafts during the “Sunflowers of Remembrance: Flowers Looking Up at the Sky” workshop using the “Air-Art” technique. The August holidays provided young Ukrainians with an opportunity to deeply feel their own identity and realize the value of freedom.
Throughout both sessions, the children mastered various techniques of decorative and applied arts, created animated works, discovered new talents within themselves, and made friends across the country. Creative workshops and psychological art practices helped the children relieve emotional stress, feel supported, and strengthen their connection to their native culture.
Summer 2026 has come to an end, but “ART-Space” isn’t saying goodbye. The Palace team is already looking forward to welcoming every child next summer to this creative space, where everyone can spread their wings, experience true freedom, and shine like a bright star.