Tuesday, May 28, 2013

First Vyshyvanka Mega March in London

An interesting event with Ukrainian cultural national background took place last weekend in Central London - the First Vyshyvanka Mega March.


Over one and half hundred Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine of all ages got together last Saturday, on 25th of May on Trafalgar Square to demonstrate the beauty and picturesque of Ukrainian national costume.



The First London Vyshyvanka Mega March has been organised by a group of young Ukrainian activists with the support of Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, and Ukrainian Embassy in London as social initiative aimed to promote Ukrainian culture and history across the world.


Vyshyvanka Mega March became a part of Ukrainian project which simultaneously was held in the different cities and countries around the world. Apart from two dozens Ukrainian cities, Ukrainian costume was celebrated in the cities of Andorra, Kazakhstan, Mozambique, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain. It was interesting to note how many young Ukrainians took part in London Mega March, and how many little kossaks were there.



The first demonstration was bright and colourful. Five-mile march in vyshyvankas has started from the heart of London, Trafalger Square where it has received its blessing from the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Volodymyr Handohiy. There was something in Ukrainian anthem and blue-and-yellow flag flying over Trafalgar Square.


After this, the picturesque procession, singing and dancing, moved along the Mall to the Royal Buckingham Palace, and then down the Constitutional Hill through Hyde Park towards the monument of Volodymyr the Great on the Holland Park Avenue.



The event featured perfomances of Ukrainian School, Ukrainian folk songs and dances, games, poems and speeches from Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, and Ukrainian Embassy in London.


Numerous tourists and londoners spending time in sunny London showed live interest to the people in unusual picturesque costumes, and some even managed to participate in Ukrainian national games!


Vyshyvanka Mega March is held for already five years across Ukraine in order to support Ukrainian traditions and to promote Ukrainian culture in Ukraine and in the world. The events are strictly apolitical, and any symbolics, apart from the national, is forbidden. London hosted the event the first time, but the organisers, inspired with the success of Vyshyvanka Mega March are already planning to hold more such events in London and other British cities.


Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Everything Will Go, This Will Go Too

Interesting, how fast everything is moving in London. You just have been in this cafe, and now there is something else at that place, you have just seen that installation, and t has already been replaced...

Just on the 1st of May I have spotted, and posted the photo of an interesting latter one on my way to work - an interesting face installation. Absolutely crazy Shoreditch-looking one. You know what? Empty spaced instead of 'eyes', and within three weeks - no installation anymore. London moves on...

Johan, Camilla and Hugo ‹ Fotoble

Great outdoor photoshoot with Johan, Camilla, and their little hero Hugo: Johan, Camilla and Hugo ‹ Fotoble






Sunday, May 19, 2013

Hello Buggy

A bit of smile for Sunday. This cheerful buggy was forgotten on the Millennium Bridge. Of course, I was attracted by the cute smile and the vibrant colours :)



Saturday, May 18, 2013

Old Street at Red Lights

Interesting place and moment spotted while having coffee at the Old Street Roundabout: red and red on red. And, of course, we can see - the cars are awaiting too!



Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Heathrow - Low Flight in the Sunset

Sunset can make look nicer even a sub-airport area. This photo was taking while passing nearby London Heathrow airport, and a very low (compared to the traffic lights) landing airplane in the tender pinky-yellowish sunset light draws the attention. 


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Sun in the Wineglass

This photo was taken during the sunset on the beautiful and calm Rhossilli Bay, near Swansea, South Wales. It shows how a wineglass caught a little piece of the last golden sun rays, and doesn't let it go shining itself of its hidden treasure. I like presence of the 'masculine', beer glass next to the shining fragile glass of white wine, and the sunny silhouette of a couple enjoying the sunset. Presenсe of the grainy sun ray traces adds the effect of presence at the bay.



Friday, May 3, 2013

London Wooly People

Another post on urban photography. In such a unique place as London you can always meet some unique people... or not people? These photos were taken near Farringdon Station. They were slightly blurred out to give the effect of motion.



Thursday, May 2, 2013

St. Paul's in the Sky

Today's photo was inspired not only truly springy sunny weather in London and the mighty St. Paul's Cathedral, but also an interesting tender tracery created in the bright-blue sky.


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Shoreditch-Inspired

An interesting Modius installation has been spotted in the London City, close to Goswell Road. Perhaps, the neighbour-Shoreditch is expanding and inspiring?



A small well-hidden poster suggests to stand on the white cross put on the specific spot on the street to observe the face. From the close-by the installation structure looks like this.



So do you guess who it is?