Ukrainian Festival KobzART Begins in Nice
The ten-day Ukrainian art festival KobzART-2025, organised by AFUCA (French-Ukrainian Association of the Côte d'Azur), has started in Nice. Since 2017, the festival has been introducing the richness of Ukrainian culture to the French public.
This time, the festival will be held under the slogan: ‘Light always wins!’.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Ukrinform.
‘Through such regular artistic events, we strive to strengthen the voice of Ukraine in the world. We hold many events in our association. We want everyone - both Ukrainians and French - to remember that there is a large Ukrainian centre in Nice, and every year in the spring a festival takes place here, which is a bridge between Ukraine and France,’ said Iryna Burdel, president of the AFUCA association.
The opening ceremony was attended by Patrick Amoussou-Adeble, Secretary General of the Alpes-Maritimes department, who stressed that art helps Ukrainians and French people get to know each other better. Patrick Mottard, the municipal councillor of Nice, stressed that during the war, the two peoples had become much closer to each other.
‘In such difficult times, there are still positive aspects, namely that the friendship between France and Ukraine has become stronger. An example of this friendship is this wonderful festival, whose slogan is ‘Light always wins’. I want to assure you that the light will win, dear Ukrainian friends,’ he addressed the audience.
The festival opened with the exhibition ‘Origins’ by Daria Alyoshkina. This artist combines folk traditions with modern aesthetics, creating unique giant-sized so-called 'vytynanky' (). The exhibition includes 16 panels ranging in size from 250 to 350 cm, cut with a special knife using the traditional technique of folding paper in half.
‘In times of crisis, it is important to preserve national identity, and my work helps to create a bridge between generations and cultures. At a time when Ukraine is fighting for its independence, culture is becoming a form of resistance, and my art contributes to this struggle by showing the world the beauty and depth of Ukrainian culture,’ Alyoshkina said.
These days in Nice, she will hold masterclasses on creating vytynanky for children and adults.
At the opening ceremony, musician Gordiy Starukh performed traditional lyre songs, psalms, and folk tunes from different regions of Ukraine. Together with his brother, he makes wheeled lyres, an ancient stringed musical instrument in which a wheel acts as a bow.
‘Historically, it is believed that the wheeled lyre flourished in France, where, according to one version, the Cossacks brought it to Ukraine in the 17th century. Since it became a companion of our kobzars, it has changed its sound slightly compared to the French lyre. Although the French do not understand what I am singing about here, they feel my music deeply,’ says the musician. He is convinced that it is important for artists to rely on the vast cultural layer that their ancestors inherited.
At the same time, the exhibition ‘Living Rust’ by Ukrainian artist Oleg Lytovchenko (Oleg LYT) was opened at the association's premises. The artist uses a special technique for his works. For three weeks, he ‘marinates’ various metal objects in water and thus explores the transformation of rust: the symbol of destruction becomes a vivid artistic expression, illustrating the resilience and ability to revive.
The KobzART-2025 programme includes several workshops, an immersive exhibition on Ukrainian mythology, film screenings, excursions, Ukrainian treats, and concerts until 15 May. The festival will also include a conference on Ukrainian schools in France. The festival will end with the traditional Vyshyvanka Day, a festive procession on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice.