Birmingham – The Bosnian House came alive with color, music, and emotion on Sunday as communities gathered for the “Reading with the Heart” charity concert, organized in support of the establishment of the first Ukrainian Children’s Library in Birmingham .
The event brought together families, artists and distinguished guests with a common goal – to build a space where Ukrainian children can read, learn and proudly cherish their heritage in a safe environment.
Guests of honour included the Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal , the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster , Frances Thomas from Birmingham City Council’s Resettlement and Migration Team, and Richard Burden , Director of Remembering Srebrenica. Local councillors and community representatives also joined the celebrations, reaffirming a shared commitment to inclusiveness, solidarity and mutual support.
Opening the event, dr. Anes Cerić , general director of the Bosnia and Herzegovina UK Network and honorary consul of Bosnia and Herzegovina, commented on the importance of this meeting: ” Events like this remind us why we created the Bosnian House – a place where cultures meet, heal and grow together. The Ukrainian children’s library will be a symbol of resilience, love of knowledge and community strength.”
A rich cultural program included recitations by students of the Ukrainian Supplementary School ‘Vodohrai’ , performances by the King Bayan group from Coventry, the Hoverla dance ensemble from Derby, and soloists Kateryna Vereshchaka, Yulii Marka, Anastasija Malysh and Melisa Kogut . A guest performance by the Bosnian folklore ensemble “Fahira Hasedžić” further highlighted the enduring friendship between the Bosnian and Ukrainian communities – two communities connected by the experience of displacement and rebuilding their lives.
The centerpiece of the concert was a symbolic presentation of books donated by families and friends, which will form the basis of the new Ukrainian Children’s Library, which will be permanently housed in the Bosnian House.
The driving force behind this initiative was Maria Švenko , a manager at BH UK Network and head of the Ukrainian program at Bosnian House. Maria conceived the idea of a children’s library and coordinated all activities related to the organization of the event with great dedication and passion.
“When I see our children reading Ukrainian books, singing Ukrainian songs and dancing in national costumes – I see hope,” Maria Shvenko said. “This library is not only about books. It is a way for children, even though they are far from their homeland, to remain connected to it from the heart. I am extremely grateful to all parents, volunteers and my colleague Katja for helping to make this dream a reality. ”
The celebration ended with a joint lunch with traditional Ukrainian dishes prepared by parents of Vodohrai school students, in a cheerful atmosphere of gratitude and friendship.
Today, three extension schools operate at the Bosnian House – Bosnian, Syrian, and Ukrainian – bringing together more than 250 young people each week, reflecting the spirit of education, resilience, and multicultural community that forms the core of this unique center.
BH UK Network
