We launched the "Meet: Kyiv!" project to tell the displaced about our city
In 2022, Vadym Stolar, a Ukrainian politician and philanthropist, took part in the launch of the "Meet: Kyiv!" initiative implemented by his Charitable Foundation. This project aims to offer free tours of the capital to displaced persons. Its main goal is to acquaint people with the city's rich history, providing an opportunity for those who have lost their home to reset, regain strength and gain positive emotions.
Vadym Stolar spoke about his motives for creating the project "Meet: Kyiv!"
"I feel a deep attachment to Kyiv and am sincerely interested in its history. In cooperation with Vagif Aliyev, we provided a separate building for the Museum of the History of the City of Kyiv. The institution was without its own premises for eight years, until 2012, when it finally got it. It was my fascination with the history of the city that prompted me to start the project "Meet: Kyiv!" with the help of the Foundation in 2022, offering tours specifically for internally displaced people. I sincerely wish that those who were forced to leave their homes and now find themselves in Kyiv, will dive deeper into the interesting and significant history of our city, feel its essence and fall in love with it," said the founder of the Foundation, Vadym Stolar.
The Vadym Stolar Foundation shared details about the excursion project
"We at the Foundation gladly accepted the proposal of our founder Vadym Stolar regarding such a project, as there are many Kyivans among us, and everyone without exception loves this city. But solving such a task requires relevant knowledge, experience and a professional approach. Fortunately, this did not become a problem as we found a partner willing to unite efforts with us to introduce IDPs to the capital and its great history. So the project was launched!
Since its establishment, about 200 people have already taken part in the tours, who got acquainted with interesting historical facts about Kyiv and immersed themselves in the significant events of the past years. Of course, the interest in these excursions is huge, which prompts us to organize meetings every Friday or Saturday in order to get to know Kyiv better," said Nataliya Prykhodko, a volunteer of the Vadym Stolar Foundation.
She also said that in the spring, for the third anniversary of the Foundation, the volunteers gave themselves a special gift - a comprehensive tour of Kyiv.
"As a team, we had the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful tour of our beloved city. Such experience allows us to dive deeper into the projects we implement, gaining a deep understanding of their effectiveness in helping people. It also strengthens our connection to the cause, reminding us why we volunteer and reinforces the values we stand for. In the end, this experience enables us all to continue to make efforts for the Victory of Ukraine," emphasized Nataliya Prykhodko.
Partners of the Vadym Stolar Foundation in the project "Meet: Kyiv!" revealed their motivation
The Vadym Stolar Foundation cooperates with the excursion bureau "Interesting Kyiv", a community of residents who adore their city and strive to demonstrate its true beauty and tell about its majestic history.
"For today, special attention is needed by forced migrants who have found themselves without their native home and must adapt to a new life here in Kyiv. Therefore, we make every effort to make their acquaintance with the city pleasant, full of positive emotions. In cooperation with the Vadym Stolar Foundation, we organize tours that introduce IDPs to the capital, its various corners and stories. We aim to facilitate the process of adaptation and inspire them to love Kyiv", - the director of the excursion bureau, Yuliya Lishchuk, expressed her opinion.
Participants of the program "Meet: Kyiv!" from the Vadym Stolar Foundation talked about their experience
Victoria, a forced migrant, expressed her pleasant surprise at the excursion about cats, which tells about Kyiv through individual stories of furry animals. As the owner of a cat who took it with her during the evacuation, she did not expect such an approach and presentation of the history of the capital. According to the woman, both she and her child enjoyed the excursion and entertaining quests. They are sincerely grateful to the Vadym Stolar Foundation for such a unique opportunity.
The Vadym Stolar Foundation together with its partners offers various tours of the capital
Vadym Stolar's initiative today resulted in many different excursions of different topics and orientations. Here are some recent examples of these exciting developments:
On May 19, an excursion "Kyiv. Cats. Love" for families of immigrants with children. This unique event was a dual experience, with separate activities for adults and children. While the children enjoyed an entertaining and educational quest with the animator, the adults strolled along the Landscape Alley, listening to fascinating stories about the love of the people of Kyiv (and not only) to cats.
The "Mystics of Kyiv" tour, which took place on May 12, allowed participants to explore the most mysterious places of the capital. They plunged into interesting stories and events intertwined with the mystical aura of the city.
On April 29, the event "Kyiv in the palm of your hand" took place - a walking tour with magical landscapes, historical secrets and urban legends with elements of witchcraft and mysticism. The participants admired the panorama of the city from the "glass" bridge, enjoyed the views of the European Square and immersed themselves in the interesting stories of the guide.
In addition, on April 22, an interesting children's quest "The Old City in Puzzles and Riddles" was held. The participants solved puzzles, solved tasks, admired grand drawings on buildings, looked for landmarks and hidden sculptures. At the end of the excursion, a surprise awaited the winners in the heart of historic Kyiv.
If you are an immigrant living in Kyiv and want to take part in the tours organized by the "Meet: Kyiv!" initiative, follow the news and announcements of the Vadym Stolar Foundation on social networks
