A Ray of Light Amid Dark Turmoil

KIS International Night



 

 

 

When we chose the name "Educators on the Edge" for our blog it was not meant to be a harbinger for the political situation Ukraine, and yet on  December 14, 2013 a headline from the Kiev Post read "Ukraine on Edge As Kyiv Braces for Rival Rallies".  In fact, rallies, demonstrations and protests against the government have been going on in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities since November 21. 

 

 

There was a lot of discussion at school about whether or not to proceed with the plans for the annual International Night in January, but in the end it was decided that the political situation downtown should not interfere with the children's and their families' opportunity to celebrate diversity and their common desire to get together and have some fun.

 

 

So, on Saturday evening, January 25, the two gymnasiums were turned into a carnival of countries.  The food and entertainment was amazing and it really was a relief from the daily uncertainty everyone was feeling about Kiev's political future.  The dark turmoil of political unrest, and sometimes violence, was forgotten if only for a few hours, while the members of our school community ate and drank and talked and laughed, learning to appreciate each others cultures, and creating a ray of light (and hope) for a more peaceful world.

The following pictures are just a glimpse of what the evening had to offer.

 



Ukrainian dancers

The Polish parents had lots of yummy, sweet treats

Japan

Peru

Hungary

The Canadians sang a song about hockey

USA!

President Obama draped with the Ukrainian flag

Jay standing in line for a Belgian waffle

Carmella, one of our new students from Italy, helping to serve pasta

I volunteered at the USA table for a while, slingin' chili and pulled pork



The Germans took up one whole corner of the gym and even had their own beer tap!