Ukraine will celebrate Cultural Diversity Day for the first time: a large-scale festival of national minorities will be held in Kyiv

Kyiv will host a large-scale festival of national minorities on May 24, 2025, offering an opportunity to explore the rich tapestry of Ukraine’s various ethnic cultures. The event is organised to mark the Day of National Accord and Cultural Diversity, which will be celebrated for the first time in 2025. Organisers of the event and representatives of national communities announced the plans, as reported by ZMINA.

Gagauz national community

Ukraine will observe the Day of National Accord and Cultural Diversity for the first time on May 21, 2025. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree to establish the new observance in December 2024.

The UNIDAY festival, scheduled for May 24, at the Expocenter of Ukraine national complex, will feature representatives from various national minorities and communities. Attendees can expect concerts by cultural ensembles, sports competitions, and opportunities to sample unique dishes, try on national costumes, and purchase souvenirs and household items at various locations. A lecture hall will also be available, offering insights into the history and traditions of each national community.

“We will be able to touch the culture of every ethnic group. More than 130 nationalities reside in Ukraine, so both the state and the public must make efforts to ensure that we are beneficial to the country. I represent an ethnic group that embodies both Eastern culture and European spirituality. There will be many such ethnic groups at the festival,” said Vasyl Kelioglo, President of the All-Ukrainian Public Organisation “Union of Gagauz of Ukraine.”

Over 30 nationalities will be represented at the event, with more than 30 creative groups and performers from various regions scheduled to perform. Visitors will have the chance to taste special dishes from 12 national communities. The event encourages families to attend with children.

Ukraine’s commitments for EU accession include strengthening respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of national minorities, ensuring their non-discrimination, and valuing diversity. To create appropriate conditions, the State National-Cultural Program “Unity in Diversity” was adopted for the period up to 2034. This program is expected to foster effective tools for realising linguistic, educational, cultural, and informational rights, and to ensure the active participation of individuals belonging to national minorities (communities) and indigenous peoples of Ukraine in the political, social, cultural, and economic life of society.

ZMINA previously reported that the Ukrainian government approved roadmaps—a prerequisite for opening EU accession negotiations—and an Action Plan for the Protection of the Rights of Persons Belonging to National Minorities (Communities) of Ukraine, following the principles of the EU-Ukraine negotiating framework.

ZMINA also wrote that the government approved an Action Plan for implementing the European Commission’s recommendations, as presented in the 2024 EU Enlargement Package progress report on Ukraine. The document outlines over 380 measures aimed at fulfilling the European Commission’s recommendations from the 2024 progress report and continuing the implementation of unfulfilled recommendations from the 2023 European Commission report.