‘Play. Dream. Create.’ Early Childhood Festival Debuts in Lviv
Lviv recently welcomed its inaugural large-scale early childhood festival, ‘Play. Dream. Create.’, attracting thousands of children, parents, and educators. The event unfolded in Striysky Park, where participants marched to the iconic Ivasyk-Telesyk fountain, accompanied by the lively sounds of the "Lviv Fanfares" brass band. The festival’s opening ceremony featured speeches from Irina Kulynych, Deputy Mayor for Humanitarian Affairs, and Andriy Zakalyuk, Director of the Department of Education and Culture of the Lviv City Council.
Adding to the festive spirit, beloved characters like Pikachu, Mickey Mouse, fairies, Spider-Man, and Rapunzel mingled with attendees, creating a magical environment for the young guests. Olesya Matskiv, a preschool teacher from institution No. 163, shared her thoughts:
“Events like this bring joy and positive emotions. The children proudly marched to the main stage and felt part of a grand celebration. Parents were just as thrilled as their kids when they heard about this initiative. Especially during wartime, we all need moments to recharge.” - Olesya Matskiv
Festival Organization and Goals
The Department of Education and Culture of Lviv City Council, in collaboration with extracurricular institutions, organized the festival. A unique feature was the participation of fairy-tale characters on Lviv’s trams, supported by the city’s public transport company, LKP "Lvivelektrotrans." Natalia, a tram driver on route No. 1 dressed as Autumn, remarked:
“Today’s event is wonderful for preschool children. All our drivers donned costumes of fairy-tale figures to make the experience fun and engaging for the kids. It’s especially important to lift spirits in these challenging times.” - Natalia
In 2026, Lviv has declared the Year of Early Childhood Education to emphasize the development of preschool learning environments and to support educators in the city’s kindergartens. Planned initiatives include:
- Expanding innovative programs tailored for preschool-aged children
- Introducing new educational and developmental approaches
The participation of the celebrated Lviv theater "Voskresinnya" and the award-winning "Lviv Fanfares" wind orchestra from Children’s Art School No. 5—renowned participants and laureates of European international competitions—infused the festival with creative energy and emotional vibrancy.
The ‘Play. Dream. Create.’ festival marks a significant milestone in promoting early childhood education in Lviv, highlighting the crucial role of play and creativity in child development. Such events help strengthen community bonds between families and educators and enhance the public perception of preschool education. Declaring 2026 the Year of Early Childhood Education underscores the city’s commitment to investing in this vital sector, promising improved learning conditions and nurturing environments for the young generation ahead.