Live concert
Morphom
The Ukrainian project Morphom takes the stage for a concert of original music that joins tradition and the contemporary.
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Ukraine's Independence Day
Heart of Ukraine in Coimbra
3rd Edition
- Date and hours
- 24 August 2026 · 17:00–23:00
- Venue
- Praça do Mercado · Mercado Municipal D. Pedro V · Coimbra
- Entry
- Free entry
Full programme now available
A day to celebrate together
On Ukraine's Independence Day, the heart of Ukraine will beat once again in Coimbra.
A celebration of Ukrainian culture — alive, creative, and diverse — bringing together the Ukrainian, Portuguese, and international communities through food, art, music, and shared experiences.
More than a festival, this is a meeting place for cultures and generations — a day to discover Ukraine, support its community, and celebrate freedom together.
What you will find
A full day of flavours, workshops, arts and music, from early afternoon into the night.
Ukrainian food and drinks
Traditional Ukrainian dishes and sweets, served throughout the day.
Showcooking with Oleksandr Ogorodnik
Ukrainian chef Oleksandr Ogorodnik cooks live, with Ukrainian recipes explained to the audience.
Crafts, art and small businesses
A market with Ukrainian makers, handmade pieces and community projects.
Creative workshops for children
Hands-on activities and workshops for younger visitors, with facilitators.
Temporary tattoos and themed photo area
A decorated backdrop for photos, plus temporary tattoos for all ages.
Ukrainian-inspired tattoos and festival styling
Designs inspired by Ukrainian motifs, plus festival hair styling.
Dance performance by children of the Ukrainian community
A performance prepared by children of Coimbra's Ukrainian community.
Interactive presentation about Ukrainian cultural identity
A moment to discover Ukraine's history, symbols and culture.
Concert by Morphom
A live concert on the main stage by the Ukrainian project Morphom.
DJ set by Katie Etnies
The night closes with a Ukrainian set by DJ Katie Etnies and dancing.
Flowerti Bloom Bar — create your own bouquet
From 17:00 to 21:00, choose your favourite flowers and create your own bouquet. And one bouquet won't belong to just one person: choose a flower, make a donation and add it to our charity bouquet, which grows flower by flower through the evening. At the end, we raffle it among everyone who took part.
Petrykivka painting workshop
Learn to paint in the traditional Ukrainian Petrykivka style, recognised by UNESCO.
Motanka doll workshop
Make your own Motanka doll, an ancestral amulet of Ukrainian culture.
Children's corner — Ukrainian School in Coimbra
Kids' tattoos and a drawing competition. The winner is announced at 21:30.
Community and solidarity space
A space to meet, learn and support the Ukrainian community.
On stage
Concert, showcooking and a DJ set bring the day to life. Meet the artists taking the stage at the 3rd edition.
DJ set
Katie Etnies
Ukrainian DJ Katie Etnies closes the night with a set of Ukrainian music and dancing.
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Showcooking
Oleksandr Ogorodnik
Ukrainian chef Oleksandr Ogorodnik, known for his live cooking, prepares dishes for the audience on stage.
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Workshops and children's corner
Petrykivka and Motanka side by side, plus the Ukrainian School in Coimbra children's corner all afternoon.
Crafts, art and small businesses
A market with Ukrainian makers, handmade pieces and community projects.
Creative workshops for children
Hands-on activities and workshops for younger visitors, with facilitators.
Flowerti Bloom Bar — create your own bouquet
From 17:00 to 21:00, choose your favourite flowers and create your own bouquet. And one bouquet won't belong to just one person: choose a flower, make a donation and add it to our charity bouquet, which grows flower by flower through the evening. At the end, we raffle it among everyone who took part.
Petrykivka painting workshop
Learn to paint in the traditional Ukrainian Petrykivka style, recognised by UNESCO.
Motanka doll workshop
Make your own Motanka doll, an ancestral amulet of Ukrainian culture.
Children's corner — Ukrainian School in Coimbra
Kids' tattoos and a drawing competition. The winner is announced at 21:30.
Who we are: Veracausa / Activists in Coimbra
Associação Veracausa — known as Activists in Coimbra — is the Ukrainian association behind this festival. We work all year round, run by volunteers, and we report back on what we do.
- We keep the Ukrainian School in Coimbra running for Ukrainian children.
- We work with partners in Ukraine and abroad to identify the needs that matter most right now.
- We organize Ukrainian cultural events in Coimbra.
- We help refugee families settle into life in Portugal.
- We buy Ukrainian books for the library.
Donations from this festival are split evenly between Veracausa and Angels of Freedom, and the results will be published afterwards.
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The stages of the day, from doors open to the closing party.
- 17:00Doors open
- 17:00–18:00Petrykivka and Motanka workshops (in parallel)
- 17:00–21:00Children's corner — Ukrainian School in Coimbra
- 17:00–21:00Flowerti Bloom Bar — charity bouquet
- 17:00–23:00Ukrainian food, market and stalls
- 18:00Children's cultural performance
- 18:30–19:30Showcooking with Oleksandr Ogorodnik
- 19:15Official opening
- 19:30–20:15Concert by Morphom
- 20:30–22:30DJ set by Katie Etnies
- 21:00Charity auction
- 21:30Drawing competition winner announced
- 22:30Thanks and closing
- 23:00End of the event
The programme and timings are being finalised and may be subject to minor changes.
See the full programmePractical information
- Date and hours
- 24 August 2026 · 17:00–23:00
- Venue
- Praça do Mercado — Mercado Municipal D. Pedro V, Coimbra
- Floor
- 1st floor of Mercado Municipal D. Pedro V
- Entry
- Free entry, no registration
- Family friendly
- A family event, with activities for children
- Getting there
- In central Coimbra. Open the location in Google Maps for buses, parking and walking directions.
Directions
Praça do Mercado, next to Mercado Municipal D. Pedro V, in central Coimbra.
Praça do Mercado — Mercado Municipal D. Pedro V
Open in Google MapsPartners
With the support of:
- Associação VeracausaEvent organiser