Warmth, Friendship, and Support: Meeting of Ukrainian Communities in Pärnu and Sillamäe
This time, warmth, friendship, and support brought together two wonderful cities in Estonia — Pärnu and Sillamäe.
Guests from the Ukrainian Association "Vodograi" from Sillamäe visited our Ukrainian Center in Pärnu. This meeting was a true celebration! 🫂✨ Adults and children together, and immediately you feel that special sense of togetherness, where hearts speak without words.
Our guests did not come empty-handed. A masterclass, a ritual game, delicious treats, and heartfelt communication — all of this created an incredibly warm atmosphere. Simple moments — playing together, laughing, drinking tea — already feel like pure happiness. ☕️🤝
A special gift was the support for the Pärnu Ukrainian Folk School, which will officially start its work this September. The books, presented by senior friends who have been devoted to the community for over 25 years, will become valuable treasures for children and inspire them for learning and creativity. 📚🙏
The meeting took place at the Estonian House of Free Organizations Vabakonna Maja, by the invitation of the Ukrainian Center in Pärnu. It is a great honor to host representatives of the Ukrainian community, which has been building its history in Estonia for over two decades.
Such meetings give inspiration and ideas: seeing people who have worked for the community for years makes you realize that love for this work spreads further. We already dream of the next meeting and a joint trip of our community to visit these wonderful friends. 🚌💫
We sincerely thank them for their hospitality, warmth, and new acquaintances! 💓🙏
With best wishes and a sincere hope for the next meeting,
Ukrainian Center Pärnu 💕
Ukrainian Association "Vodograi" from Sillamäe
Another news
13.02.2026MTÜ Ukraina Keskus has been selected to participate in the international RIZA project.
Read moreThe RIZA project is a large-scale initiative supported by the European Union, aimed at strengthening the capacity of civil society organisations working with migrant and refugee women across Europe. The project focuses on: • strengthening the capacity of local organisations working with women of migrant background through financial support and tailored development tools; • supporting the promotion and protection of the rights of migrant and refugee women, including access to fundamental rights, participation in democratic processes, and ensuring equal opportunities; • building a cooperation network among organisations from different EU countries working in similar fields, fostering exchange of experience and joint initiatives; • supporting the voice and leadership of women of migrant background in public dialogue and democratic processes.
The project manager of MTÜ Ukraina Keskus has already attended the first two-day training in Brussels within the framework of the RIZA programme, organised by Migrantwomennetwork in partnership with Melissa Network and Pangea. Key topics of the training included: • capacity building of civil society organisations; • European Union values and fundamental human rights in the migration context; • different forms of gender-based violence and response mechanisms.
An online learning programme was also presented, which representatives of participating organisations will complete over the course of the year within the RIZA project. This marked an important step in establishing effective cooperation with international colleagues and project organisers. We sincerely thank the RIZA project team and partners from different countries for the opportunity to contribute to this important European process.
08.12.2025Ukrainian Center selected as one of five Estonian organisations for the international MARIO 2025 project
Read moreLast year, MTÜ Ukraina Keskus was selected as one of five organisations in Estonia working with national minorities to participate in the international MARIO 2025 project. This is a great honour for us, as we are the youngest organisation among all 30 participants from six European countries included in the MARIO 2025 programme. 🇺🇦 Over four days in Brussels, during the MARIO Brussels Exchange & Advocacy Meetings 2025, we represented the Ukrainian community of Estonia at meetings with representatives of key European institutions. 👩💻 Together with colleagues from six countries, we met, learned, and exchanged experiences with representatives of the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, and leading human rights initiatives. It was a great honour to meet and listen to such influential speakers as: 🔹 Pascale Biver – Task Manager, EACEA (European Education and Culture Executive Agency), an executive agency of the European Commission managing EU grant programmes in the fields of education, culture, youth, media, and civil society (including Erasmus+, Creative Europe, and CERV); 🔹 Tanja Florath – Policy Officer, DG JUST, coordinating EU anti-racism policy; 🔹 Jelena Jovanovic – Coordinator of the Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup of the European Parliament, shaping the political agenda on equality; 🔹 Neil Clarke – Head of Legal Programmes and EU Advocacy (MRG), who delivered a powerful training on advocacy strategies for minority rights; 🔹 Lucia Demeny – European Women's Lobby, who spoke about the role of women leaders in building an inclusive society. This exchange in Brussels was an invaluable experience — offering networking opportunities and knowledge exchange with leaders and communities shaping modern Europe: equal, diverse, and united in solidarity 🤝🇪🇺. We sincerely thank MRGgroup for the opportunity and the excellent organisation of all events! 🙌
25.08.2025Official Registration of the Ukrainian Folk Hobby School in Pärnu — Pärnu Ukraina Rahva Kool
Read more25.08.2025 — a symbolic and meaningful date marking the birth of a new educational center for the Ukrainian community.
We sincerely thank everyone who helped make this dream come true.
Special gratitude goes to Pärnu linn, as well as Helena Viks, Agnes Sirg, Meeli Waf, Reeli Jantson, and the inspector from the Ministry of Education Triin Hüva, who patiently guided us through all the checks, consultations, and document exchanges.This was a long but very important journey, and now we have reached the main goal:
Ukrainian children in Pärnu will have their own space for development. Here they will be able to:- preserve their native language and culture,
- study and socialize after school,
- integrate successfully into Estonian society.
At the same time, the school will also become a cultural bridge, allowing Estonians to get to know Ukrainian traditions more closely.
📌 Pre-registration for hobby groups is now open!
Fill in the form 👉 forms.gle/8unKJb4vnLxDhJmd7
or write to us: purkparnuukrainarahvuskool@gmail.comOpen free classes will begin in September. We invite everyone to join! 🎨🎶📚
💙💛
Sincerely,
Head of Pärnu Ukrainian Folk School — Viktoria Kuzmenko