Cultural diplomacy in action: Junior Diplomatic Academy students celebrate Diwali
October 22, 2025
The Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth hosted a special event for Junior Diplomatic Academy participants посвящена one of India’s most vibrant celebrations — Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which represents the triumph of light over darkness.
Participants discovered the traditions of the festival, when homes across India glow with thousands of lights and the air is filled with the fragrance of jasmine and a sense of celebration.
They experienced traditional Indian dance and music, explored the vibrant colors and rhythms of Bollywood, and most importantly, felt the authentic spirit of India.
The event’s vibrant atmosphere was brought to life by Junior Diplomatic Academy lecturer David Sureshwar and Sofia Topchii, who performed traditional Indian dances; the “Om” group with their piece “Sri Rama Govinda: from the blue Don to the silver Carpathians”; performers from the Roksana Center of Eastern Culture and the Silk Road folk studio of Indian and Eastern dance; as well as N&Y Band, who presented the musical and choreographic performance “Govinda Adi Purusham.”
“Today’s event means a lot to us. We are not just studying diplomacy — we are learning to shape it through art, emotion, and culture. We continuously explore new formats and introduce innovative approaches to ensure that learning at the Academy is not only effective, but also dynamic, inspiring, and relevant,” said Rita Kosyak, project lead of the Junior Diplomatic Academy and Deputy Director of the Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth.
