Natalia Sentymrey: “I invite guests of the Midsummer celebration in Uzhgorod to be not just spectators, but participants!” (Announcement)

On July 7, Uzhgorod residents and guests are invited to the Midsummer holiday, which is gradually becoming traditional for the regional center of Transcarpathia.

This year the event will take place on the bank of the Uzh (down from the Philharmonic) and will have several components. The program "Midsummer" will start at 17.00 and will continue until night, and the elements of fire and water will be its highlights.

Uzhgorod.in talked to a young director, the initiator of the Midsummer celebration in Uzhgorod – Natalia Sentymrey.

"The idea originated three years ago, when I was a student. I wanted to create something special, unique, something that has never been done in Uzhgorod", – the young woman said. "The celebration of Midsummer takes place in Uzhgorod for the third time. And every year, there are some innovations in the organization of the event. Thus, 2015 was marked by a theatrical performance with witches. Last year, the main event of the celebration was a real wedding." 

"The idea of ​​this festival is to unite people around the traditions, customs, rituals of their ancestors passed from generation to generation. The modern world is different, it is constatntly moving forward, and the history remains on paper, as well and traditions – eventually they will just disappear. Therefore, the event in such a format is an active, quality, informative holiday. Here people can get healthier, because Midsummer is cleansing by fire and water. Dousing with water is the special feature of the holiday, because usually the main element of the holiday is jumping over fire" – the organizer says.

The holiday program includes workshops and even auction (paintings of nature, pottery and amulets) – Natalia informs. Also, the "ritual" cuisine, which has its own characteristics, will be presented at the festival.  

Natalia said: "I expect the guests of the event to be active, not to be afraid to try something new, I invite to join the ritual performances, to find something interesting for themselves. I advise to bring bottles of water and mats, because there will be no such thing as a stage, the action will be taking place among the people and with the people. I invite guests of the Midsummer celebration in Uzhgorod to be not just spectators, but participants!".

So, the meeting is on Friday, July 7, on the bank of the Uzh near the pedestrian bridge (at the Philharmonic)!