All-Ukrainian Festival of Creativity for Children and Youth with Disabilities
“Sunny Lanterns” is a new large-scale festival that brings together children and young people with disabilities from all over Ukraine. During the war, when daily realities are filled with anxiety and pain, creativity becomes a space of rescue, self-expression, and light. That is why the organizers created an inclusive stage where every talent shines in a special way.
The Gala Concert will take place on October 29, 2025, at the Pechersk Palace cultural center in Kyiv. The event is dedicated to the World Down Syndrome Awareness Month, which is held every October.
Archive photos of “Sunny Lanterns 2024”
Organizers and Support
The festival is organized by joint efforts of:
- NGO WeCan
- Charity Foundation Magic Wings
- Cultural Center Pechersk Palace
With the support of partners:
- Malevaro Group
- Kyiv Municipal Academy of Performing and Circus Arts
- Aluminium Ukraine LLC
- P. Chubynsky Academy of Arts
- Podillia Agricultural Enterprise
- ETB LLC
The festival combines performances, workshops, photo zones, as well as a charity fair. An important goal is to break stereotypes and demonstrate the power of art in the lives of children with mental and physical disabilities.
Participation Terms
- Participation is free of charge
- Children and youth aged 7–23 with disabilities are invited
- Selection format: preliminary online stage based on a video performance
- Genres: singing, choreography, theater, music, poetry
- Finalists perform at the Gala Concert in Kyiv
The event is designed as a space of acceptance, creativity, and emotional support — especially vital during wartime.
Creativity as Rescue and Voice
The “Sunny Lanterns” festival is being held for the second time and has already united over 150 participants from different regions of Ukraine, including children who became internally displaced persons. A special focus is placed on children with Down syndrome and mental disorders, for whom creativity helps cope with stress and anxiety.
Here, art is not competition but the language of the heart. Between air raid alerts and even in shelters, children continue to sing, dance, and play instruments. This festival gives them the opportunity to perform on stage, feel the support of the audience, and receive recognition.
Atmosphere of Inclusion and Support
Festival guests can enjoy a special program:
- Art workshops
- Charity exhibition
- Concert program and awards
- Fun animation and photo zone
- Special interactive activities from partners
Key Information
- Festival date: October 29, 2025
- Venue: Pechersk Palace Cultural Center, Kyiv
- Number of participants: over 150
- Genres: singing, dance, theater, poetry
- Age of participants: 7–23
- Number of locations: 3 (stage, exhibition, workshops)
“Amid explosions, shelling, and anxiety, they create. Their salvation is in song, movement, and words. And we must hear this voice.”
— Representative of NGO WeCan
Key stages of preparations and festival events
- Preliminary online selection — videos submitted in September 2025
- Final & Gala Concert — live performances of finalists in Kyiv on October 29
- Workshops — held on the day of the festival
- Media coverage — photo report, video, and press campaign
- Forming the jury and mentoring team
- Організація логістики для учасників з регіонів
- Communication campaign in social media
- Preparing creative spaces and stage setup
- Holding the festival on October 29, 2025
- Awarding participants and expressing gratitude
- Publishing video & photo materials
- Collecting feedback and planning the next festival
The “Sunny Lanterns” festival carries a profound social mission:
- Promotes recognition of the talents of children and youth with disabilities;
- Changes society’s attitude toward mental disability;
- Unites people from different regions of Ukraine;
- Helps restore psychological balance through creativity;
- Breaks myths about people with Down syndrome.
The event brings light in times of darkness, helps us see every child as a creator of the future, and builds a living model of a society where inclusion is not just a slogan but an action.
Expected Impact:
- Raising awareness about Down syndrome
- Supporting the psycho-emotional state of children
- Shaping inclusive cultural policy
- Providing a creative platform for children with disabilities
- Strengthening partnerships between organizations
- Creating a positive image of Ukraine as a state of inclusion
