Last week, we spent several truly special days in Denmark together with young people, our Danish friends, and partners.
It was a journey filled with new connections, honest conversations, sharing experiences, and an opportunity to speak about Ukraine in a space where people who care deeply about democracy, young people, and the future of Europe come together.
Copenhagen: Danish Friends and New Connections
We spent the first days in Copenhagen. We talked about democracy and youth participation, learned storytelling techniques, shared our own experiences, and gradually got to know each other better.
We had many conversations about what it means to be young in times of major change — about the opportunity to influence decisions, take responsibility for our communities, and not remain on the sidelines.
And between the workshops, we also made time to explore the city itself — cycling around Copenhagen, taking walks, and discovering the Danish way of life. The wind, canals, colorful buildings, and bike lanes — it seems that getting to know Denmark wouldn’t be complete without them.
Ukrainian Culture — From Folk Dances to Singing Together
But we didn’t come just to get to know Denmark. It was equally important for us to introduce our Danish friends to Ukraine — through culture, music, and shared moments.
We danced Ukrainian folk dances, sang Ukrainian songs, while our Danish friends shared their own traditions with us. It was especially heartwarming to see Danish people singing in Ukrainian. And before long, we found ourselves joining in with songs in Danish too.
Moments like these remind us that culture doesn’t need translation. It simply helps us become closer.
Bornholm and Folkemødet: Speaking About Ukraine
Next, we travelled to the island of Bornholm, where we took part in Folkemødet — one of Denmark’s largest democracy festivals. Every year, it brings together thousands of activists, civil society representatives, young people, politicians, and people from different sectors of society.
For us, it was another opportunity to speak about Ukraine — openly, honestly, and through personal experience.
Ukrainian Youth: Dreams, Challenges, and Hope
Roman Mykhalskyi, Danylo Kravets, and Anastasiia Pasieka spoke about what it means to be young and grow up in Ukraine today.
They talked about dreams that have not disappeared despite the war, the challenges young people face every day, responsibility, volunteering, participation in their communities, and what gives them the strength to keep moving forward.
Representatives of YMCA Odesa — Kostiantyn Kuzmenko and Mariia Mykhailenko — spoke about hope during wartime and why it is so important to support young people in times of uncertainty.
Because young people are not just the future. They are already creating change in their communities today.
Voices of Defenders: Voices That Deserve to Be Heard
Another important part of our participation was sharing “Voices of Defenders” — a collection of stories from people who are defending Ukraine today. These are stories about the experience of war, strength, loss, responsibility, and life that continues despite everything. It was important for us that these voices be heard not only in Ukraine, but far beyond its borders — so that people in other countries could hear not just the news about the war, but the personal stories of those who are experiencing it and defending their country.
Lviv Youth on the International Stage
Taras Chura and Yaryna Dudych, representatives of Tvory! and the Lviv Youth Fund, joined us on this trip. They shared about their projects, their work with young people, and activities within the “Lviv — European Youth Capital” initiative.
It was especially valuable to see the genuine interest from the audience — the questions after the presentations, the conversations, the new connections, and those moments when you realize that our stories truly resonate with people from other countries.
Thank You for Creating Space for Important Conversations
We are truly grateful to Civil Society in Development (CISU) and the Danish Youth Council (DUF) for the opportunity to speak on their stages and for creating a space for conversations about Ukraine, young people, and democracy.
A special thank you to Folkekirkens Nødhjælp (DanChurchAid) and Generation Hope for inviting us to join the discussion on hope — a topic that holds particular meaning for us today.
And, of course, we are grateful to our Danish friends at KFUM og KFUK i Danmark and Ukraine Network for this journey, for their support and care, and for the opportunity to spend these days together.
We are returning home with new connections, dozens of warm memories, and an even stronger belief that we need to keep talking about Ukraine.
And that people are ready to listen.
This journey reminded us once again that dialogue begins with the opportunity to tell your story. And from there, you find people who are willing to listen, understand, and stand alongside you.
Thank you to everyone who was part of this journey.
*The Voices of Defenders project is implemented by the YMCA Lviv and KFUM og KFUK i Danmark teams with funding from CISU (Civil Society in Development), Denmark.