Where Ukrainian youth played, learned, grew and belonged 🇦🇹🇺🇦
Click here to read the page in German 🇦🇹 or Ukrainian 🇺🇦
On Saturday, 4 July 2026, more than 200 participants came together at Posthalle Wien for the U-PLAYS Festival — a full day of sport, learning, culture and community.
The festival marked the final celebration of our Ukrainian youth programme in Austria and brought together young people, families, partners, employers and members of the local community.
Throughout the day, visitors joined sport sessions, creative workshops and cultural performances, practised German, received career support and discovered services and job opportunities available in Vienna.
A Festival Open to Everyone
While the festival grew out of our work with Ukrainian youth in Austria, it was open to everyone—not only Ukrainian children, young people, adults and families, but also members of the wider local community. No previous involvement in U-PLAYS was required; anyone who wanted to take part, meet new people and celebrate community, inclusion and active participation was welcome.
The programme was designed so that visitors could explore the festival at their own pace. Some sessions followed a fixed schedule, while many activities and stands remained open throughout the morning or afternoon.
A food truck was also available throughout the day, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy food and drinks, take a break and socialise between activities.
The morning centred on sport, movement, family-friendly activities and cultural performances. Participants could join basketball, volleyball, badminton, Pilates, Nordic walking, running activities and other games, while children and families could take part in creative stations, first aid practice and interactive workshops.
During the afternoon, the focus shifted towards employment, language learning and local support. Visitors could meet organisations, explore job and volunteering opportunities, receive individual career and CV guidance, practise German in the language café and join creative writing and art therapy workshops.
An Active and Creative Morning
The morning programme focused on movement, creativity and family-friendly activities.
Participants rotated between open sport stations offering basketball, volleyball, badminton and other games. PlayTogetherNow also facilitated a beginner-friendly running workshop, encouraging participants to get active and enjoy movement together.
Two Pilates sessions led by Iuliia Chui introduced participants to gentle strengthening, posture and body awareness. Visitors could also try Nordic walking and discover an accessible form of outdoor exercise.
At the Kids and Family Corner, Kids in Motion and Feel Good Store organised playful and creative activities, including painting, dancing, hockey, acrobatics and do-it-yourself activities.
The Österreichisches Jugendrotkreuz also offered practical first aid activities, giving participants the opportunity to learn and practise simple skills in an accessible and engaging way.
Open Sport Stations
10:30–13:15
Participants moved freely between different activity stations, including basketball, volleyball, badminton and other sport activities.
Kids & Family Corner
10:30–13:15, by Kids in Motion & Feel Good Store
Children and families joined creative and playful activities, including painting, DIY activities, dancing, hockey and acrobatics.
First Aid Practice
10:30–13:15, by Österreichisches Jugendrotkreuz
Participants learned and practised simple first aid skills in an accessible and practical setting.
Pilates for Beginners
Starting at 11:00 until 11:30 and 12:00–12:30, facilitated by Iuliia Chui
Two beginner-friendly Pilates sessions introduced participants to gentle strengthening, posture and body awareness.
Nordic Walking
Starting at 11:30 until 12:00
Participants tried Nordic walking during a short and friendly introduction to light outdoor movement.
Running workshop
Starting at 13:00 until 13:30, by PlayTogetherNow
Participants joined a fun, beginner-friendly running session and could also borrow and try running shoes from On.
Cultural Performances
The festival also celebrated Ukrainian culture, music and creativity.
Prize-winning young artists connected to the Blooming Planet International Festival of Culture and Creativity performed during the morning programme.
Visitors enjoyed performances by the “Zironky” Children’s Vocal Ensemble, including a Eurovision song mix and There Is No End to the Cossack Lineage.
Young violinist Ksenia Zimovska performed the well-known instrumental composition Csárdás.
These performances brought an important cultural element to the festival and gave the young artists an opportunity to share their talent with the community.
Creative partner: Blooming Planet International Festival of Culture and Creativity
Founder and Director: Olga Musina
Highlights from the Morning Programme
Participants enjoying sport and movement, joining family-friendly and creative activities, learning first aid and watching cultural performances during the morning programme.
Festival Map – Morning programme
The morning activities were organised across different areas of the festival venue, allowing participants to move freely between sport, family, first aid and cultural activities.
Career, Language and Integration Support
The afternoon programme focused on employment, language learning, creativity and access to local support.
Participants met organisations and community initiatives, asked questions and learned more about employment, volunteering and support opportunities available in Vienna. The job fair and partner area included contributions from Share Your Party, Social Impact Award (SIA), the Austrian Integration Fund (Österreichischer Integrationsfond; ÖIF), Deutschothek Sprachschule, PlayTogetherNow, and Österreichisches Jugendrotkreuz.
Career adviser Nataliya Sherimbetova provided individual job-search guidance and reviewed participants’ CVs. Visitors received practical feedback on their CV structure, wording and presentation, as well as advice on possible next steps in their careers.
At the Österreichischer Integrationsfonds information stand, participants learned about German courses, education, employment and other forms of integration support in Austria.
Deutschothek Sprachschule, together with Iuliia Langmann, organised a relaxed language café and German quiz. Participants with different language levels could practise speaking, test their knowledge and connect with others.
The afternoon also included an interactive creative writing workshop facilitated by Anton, as well as an art therapy workshop led by Oksana, offering participants opportunities for self-expression, reflection and creativity.
Job Fair & Partner Stands
14:10–16:30
Participants met local organisations, employers and community partners, asked questions, explored opportunities and learned more about support available in Vienna.
Career Support + Check your CV
14:10–16:15, by Nataliya Sherimbetova
Participants received individual career guidance and practical feedback on the structure, wording and presentation of their CVs for job applications in Austria.
ÖIF Information Stand
14:10–16:15, by Österreichischer Integrationsfonds (ÖIF)
Visitors learned about German courses, education, employment and other integration services and support opportunities available in Austria.
Creative Writing Workshop
14:10–16:15, by Anton
Participants explored self-expression, storytelling and communication through interactive creative writing activities.
Language Café & Fun Quiz
14:10–16:15, by Deutschothek Sprachschule & Iuliia Langmann
Participants practised German in a relaxed setting and tested their knowledge through an interactive language quiz suitable for different levels.
Art Therapy Workshop
15:30–16:15, by Oksana
Participants used creative activities and art therapy as an opportunity to relax, reflect and connect with others.
Highlights from the Afternoon Programme
Participants exploring career opportunities, practising German, receiving individual guidance and taking part in creative workshops during the afternoon programme.
Festival Map – Afternoon programme
The afternoon activities were organised across different areas of the venue, allowing visitors to move freely between partner stands, career support, language activities and creative workshops.
Festival Programme at a Glance
10:00–10:15 | Opening Ceremony
10:15–13:30 | Sports, Games and Cultural Activities
14:00–14:15 | Afternoon Programme Introduction
14:15–16:30 | Job Fair, Language Café and Career Workshops
16:30–17:00 | Closing Ceremony and Awards
Thank You for Being Part of the Festival
We would like to thank all the participants, volunteers, trainers, facilitators, performers, partner organisations and supporters who contributed to the U-PLAYS Festival.
Your time, knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm helped us create a welcoming day where young people, families and members of the wider community could move, learn, express themselves and connect with others.
A special thank you goes to everyone who joined the activities and helped bring such a positive and friendly atmosphere to the festival. Together, you made the U-PLAYS Festival 2026 a truly memorable community event. 💙💛
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.