By Joshua Robinson – 

A brand new creative arts project has started in Dewsbury, Holmfirth, and Huddersfield bringing together refugees, community volunteers, and the Ukrainian community, to make puppets, masks, textiles, music, and dances for a spectacular parade and performance at Holmfirth Arts Festival on 15th June and at Dewsbury Town Hall on 22nd June.

Arts charity 6 million+ is bringing people together from all walks of life for a new outdoor parade and indoor performance, based on the life and work of famous Ukrainian artist Maria Prymachenko (1908- 1997) in celebration of the charity’s tenth anniversary.

Maria Prymachenko was a prolific and highly celebrated artist who painted vivid images of flowers, people, plants, birds, and beasts. She endured many hardships in her lifetime and her work has become symbolic of the suffering faced in Ukraine with her paintings acting as global icons in the call for peace.

6 million + have successfully raised money from supporters on the crowdfunding platform Spacehive and from grants from The Brelms Trust, One Community, Holmfirth Arts Festival, and Kirklees Council, and look forward to launching the project.

Project Leader Adam Strickson said: “I would like to thank our many friends who supported our crowdfunding campaign. We have been truly touched by their generosity and to the grant funders who have got behind this project with great enthusiasm. We are now able to offer a programme of workshops free to adults and children over 10 years that give opportunities for people from different backgrounds to come together and be creative. We are busily writing songs and preparing fabulous materials ready for the workshops. We really hope that people will enjoy the chance to take part. Please sign up online in advance if possible as places are limited.”

Workshops will be led by professional artists from different cultural backgrounds including puppet and costume maker Naomi Parker Blackburn, artist and poet Adam Strickson, Ukrainian singer and dancer Natalia Mirckun (British Ukrainian Friendship Association), performer and multi-instrumentalist Andy Burton (Satellite Arts), and dancer Kali Chandrasegaram (Balbir Singh Dance Company).

Refugees from all cultural backgrounds are actively encouraged to take part, alongside other members of the local community who are interested in working together. There will be interpreters and childcare available at sessions if arranged in advance and there is a small budget to help refugees and participants on means-tested benefits with travel costs. No previous experience is needed or the ability to speak Ukrainian, though anyone with language and arts skills that they can bring to the workshops is welcome.

Singing Workshops:

Learn traditional and brand-new songs in English and Ukrainian. No experience needed just enthusiasm.

Musicians are also welcome – please bring an instrument!

Dewsbury Fire Station Community Room (access from Low Street entrance)

21 Carlton Rd, Dewsbury WF13 2AT

• Wednesday 8th May 7 pm – 9 pm
• Wednesday 22nd May 7 pm – 9 pm
• Wednesday 19th May 7 pm – 9 pm
• Wednesday 5th June 7 pm – 9 pm

Creative Craft Workshops:

Help to make a giant, dancing puppet of Maria Prymachenko and masks and embroidery to tell her story. There will also be opportunities to join in with Ukrainian and other traditional dances.

Friends Meeting House
Church Street Paddock
Huddersfield HD1 4TR

• Sunday 5th May 2 pm – 4:30 pm
• Sunday 12th May 2 pm – 4:30 pm

Holmfirth Civic Hall (Lesser Hall)
Huddersfield Rd
Holmfirth HD9 3AS

• Thursday 30th  May 10 am – 12:30 pm
• Thursday 30th  May 1:30 pm – 4 pm
• Sunday 26th  May 2 pm – 4:30 pm
• Sunday 2nd  June 2 pm – 4:30 pm

All adults and children over 10 are welcome to join these free workshops. However, places are limited. Please book in advance to guarantee a place: www.ticketsource.co.uk/dearsunflowers

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