On Monday, January 17, the students and the officials of the University attended the “Old Town” café. It is the first special confectionery café in Lutsk with Down syndrome catering staff.
Organised by a friendly team of the Faculty of Philology and Journalism, the event signified an opportunity to celebrate the end of the semester as well as the Masters’ graduation ceremony.
Christmas and old New Year carols (koliadky and shchedrivky) could be heard at Christmas Eve performed by professors and students of the University. This year's graduates of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, Roman Shumsky and Natalka Lysak enchanted the audience with their songs and guitar tunes. The duo performed the poem “Rizdvo” (“Christmas”) written by the outstanding Ukrainian poet Bohdan-Ihor Antonych. The veritably skillful “Dyvostruny” (“Wonder Strings”) bandurist trio gave a stunning performance.
All attendants of the venue were given an opportunity to share their memories of Christmas celebration about the carols they used to sing and dressing up for Christmas Eve.
With some taste added to the comfort of that evening: both adults and children enjoyed warming drinks and delicious pastries.
In the end, the Dean of the Faculty of Philology and Journalism Liliya Lavrynovych conferred diplomas and commendation letters to the student activists, the "Old Town" café’s staff, and the “Parents of Children with Down Syndrome” public organisation.
“It is extremely gratifying that such meeting was attended today by our graduates, students and teachers, as well as children with special needs for communication”, the Rector of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, Anatolii Tsios admitted.
Anna Zayats, a freshman of the Faculty of Philology and Journalism, also shared her impressions: “I really enjoyed the event! Such an atmospheric, warm and great tradition! I hope to attend more of the similar events in the future.”
Written by Nataliia Kharchuk,
2nd-year student
of Faculty of Philology and Journalism;
Photos by Dmytro Baida
