Ukrainian Yarmarok

Ukrainian Yarmarok - Ukrainian fair of food, arts and crafts.

‘Yarmarok’ (ярмарок), which means ‘fair’ or ‘market’ in Ukrainian language, carries a significant cultural importance in Ukraine for its spirit and role in supporting artists and crafters. Bringing Ukrainian food, Arts & Crafts, traditional performances and master classes in Ukrainian Arts under the same roof, Maketank and Devon Ukrainian Association hopes to bring awareness on Ukrainian culture to the British public.

Join us and experience the magic of Ukrainian folk culture and traditions:

• Traditional Ukrainian baked goods and famous  borscht
• Live Folk Music and Folk Dancing
• Traditional Craft Workshops by Ukrainian artisans: motanka doll, vybiyka (fabric decoration), vytynanka (paper cutting), face painting, etc
• A wonderful afternoon of foods, music, dance, and craft. Please come and bring your friends!

Saturday August 26, 12:00-17:00

Maketank, 5 Paris St, Exeter, EX1 2JB

Ukraine is famous for its vivid traditions and dynamic cultural life. The end of August is often a time of the year for the ‘yarmarok’ fair. First established as way for people from towns and the countryside to exchange goods, to showcase traditional handicrafts made by skilled craftsmen and to exchange information. Yarmarok tradition dates back centuries: potters and lozhkars (makers of wooden spoons), weavers and embroiderers, coopers and carpenters, wainwrights and basket makers, tanners and saddlers, masters of salting and tar distillers, bublichnitsy (women who are selling cracknels) and tailors, all were selling their wares at the fairs throughout a year. Regular sale of goods would often turn into a real celebration, accompanied by music, games, performances, dances, and other fun activities. It connected history with modernity, revived ancient folk traditions, preserved unique Ukrainian culture and diverse ethnic flavors within it. The “yarmarok” fairs are often viewed as the most anticipated events in the seasonal calendars. Sorochyntsi Yarmarok is the most known, featured in Nikolai Gogol’s famous story by the same name.  Following a Presidential Decree of August 18, 1999, Sorochyntsi Yarmarok holds the status of Ukraine's national trade fair.