How Ivano-Frankivsk Will Celebrate Its 355th Anniversary: Detailed Program Revealed

355-річчя Івано-Франківська обіцяють відсвяткувати доволі масштабно. Планується провести більше ста заходів, серед яких – костюмована хода містом, світлове шоу, концерт, велопробіг тощо. 

The festive events will start on May 4. On this day, an exhibition by Mykola Vareny will open in the children's art school to celebrate the artist's 75th anniversary.

On May 5, residents are invited to come and paint how they see their city. The mayor Ruslan Marcinkiv announced that from 10 a.m. posters will be displayed along Independence Street. The community is invited to come and paint their vision of the city.

On the same day at 5:00 p.m. in Rynok Square, an open-air performance of "The Adventures of the Brave Soldier Schweik" featuring Bohdan Benyuk will take place. Chairs will be provided for those who cannot stand.

From May 5-7, the 15th International Festival of Blacksmithing Art "Holiday of Blacksmiths" will take place in Ivano-Frankivsk. This year, the festival will be held under the slogan - "Time is on Our Side".

"This year, blacksmithing art will be combined with literature. Artists-blacksmiths from different countries will join us. Blacksmiths from Ukraine and around the world will work together on joint projects, the sculptures of which differ from conventional artistic thinking. People bring beautiful ideas. Our festival is alive and unique," says the festival organizer Serhiy Polubotko.

Traditionally, blacksmiths from various regions of Ukraine and over 10 countries will attend the festival: the USA, France, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Israel, Lithuania, Moldova, Germany, and others. In total, the organizers expect 200 festival participants.

"This year, blacksmiths will work on a gift for the city. The sculpture will be a tower in the square of the Frankivsk Bastion inspired by the book by writer Natalia Shcherba "Chasodiyi". It will be a 6-meter tower with three functioning clocks, which will be forged by the blacksmiths. The clocks will have a two-meter diameter, and the hours will be marked not by numbers, but by compositions, totaling 36," said Serhiy Polubotko.

According to writer Natalia Shcherba, the tower can be seen from three sides, and wishes will be made near it. The writer provides only a verbal description of the elements to the blacksmiths, who will then independently implement the compositions.

On May 6 at 1 p.m., the Shevchenko Street Holiday will take place. A memorial plaque will be unveiled to the first burgomaster of Stanislaviv as part of the "Alley of Famous Frankivsk Residents" project.

On May 7 at 9:00 a.m., the municipal pop-symphonic orchestra will play at the railway station to welcome all guests.

Later that day, a ceremonial procession will take place from the monument to Ivan Franko to the Town Hall. Actors dressed in historical costumes from the 17th century will participate, walking on stilts.

The solemn opening of City Day will take place on May 7 at 1 p.m. in Rynok Square with the traditional cutting of the festive cake.

Subsequently, the "Melodies of the Park" festival will be opened in Shevchenko Park, which will last until October. On May 9, a family celebration for City Day will be held in the neighborhoods.

Additionally, among the events for City Day: a reading flash mob "Franko Unites", a film screening of "Zhyvatra" at "Lumiere", an artistic action "Musical Trolleybuses", and more.

Among the sports events during this period, there will be races on velomobiles, a city championship in Thai boxing, a judo cup, a beach volleyball championship, chess tournaments, and an international volleyball tournament.

The program of the festival "Ivano-Frankivsk – a City for Life"

On May 5, as part of the II International Art Festival "Carpathian Space" in Ivano-Frankivsk for City Day, a concert featuring Oleh Skrypka (band "VV") and the NAONI Orchestra will take place.

On May 6, a concert by the band "Mandry":

Also on the stage of Vichevyi Maidan, on May 7, on City Day of Ivano-Frankivsk, at 9 p.m., Ukrainian singer Tina Karol will perform. The concert will be held with the support of the charitable foundation of Oleksandr Shevchenko "New Ivano-Frankivsk" and the charitable foundation "Ukraine Incognito".

V Festival "Wedding Patterns" for Married Couples

On May 7, in Ivano-Frankivsk on Independence Street, the pedestrian area opposite the dental building, the V City Festival "Wedding Patterns" will take place for married couples who are getting married on City Day, organized by the Department of Youth Policy and Sports of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council.

As part of the festival, all young couples will have the opportunity to participate in festival attractions, walk on a wedding towel that ends with an arch, make a wish by the tree of happiness, and receive congratulations from the mayor.

On May 5, 2017, at 10:45 a.m., the grand opening of the exhibition of the best works of decorative and applied arts created by folk art masters from Ivano-Frankivsk region will take place.

Representatives from about 40 European countries will be present at the opening. The exhibition will last until May 14, 2017, at the address: Independence, 53.

The festival's main manager, representative of the National Operetta of Ukraine Oksana Kohut noted that this year the festival expands its borders - 14 countries will participate in the festival: Austria, Moldova, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and new countries will join: Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Estonia.

The festival will have over 10 locations.

The art space will be represented in the local history museum, on Sheptytsky Square, in the Museum of Arts of Prykarpattia, Potocki Palace, and Mickiewicz Park.

As part of the art space, sculptures will be created, which will be installed in Mickiewicz Park after the festival.

The theatrical space will present various traditional performances, and in Frankivsk, the shadow and light theater will present a silent performance "Life is Love".

The concert space will feature the national ensemble of singing and dancing of Virsky, bands from different countries, the band "Mandry", and Oleh Skrypka.

Also, during the three days, folklore groups from the Carpathians and around the world will perform.

This year, the cuisine will be represented by 5 countries: Ukraine, Hungary, Lithuania, Georgia, and Romania. A new location will feature wines from Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova.

It is expected that about 1,500 people will participate in the festival. Over 20,000 leaflets will be printed for tourists so that everyone can familiarize themselves with the program.