UAE to explore Trypillian culture

An official delegation led by Valentyna Balabanova, head of the International Development Or­ganization’s office in Ukraine and director general of the In­ve­stment Consulting Group, recently returned from a visit to the Uni­ted Arab Emirates. The delegati­on went there at the invitation of Sheikh Mubarak Bin Mo­ha­mmed Al Nahyan, a member of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi and Minister of Higher Education and Research of the United Arab Emirates, in order to hold negotiations on the International Fair EURO 2012: Ukraine Investment Open and the music festival “Uk­rainian Stars to the Emirates’ Stars,” both to be held in Abu Dhabi.

The delegation was received by the president’s son, Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Ukrainian visitors presented him with a pair of Trypillian binoculas as a token of friendship and a symbol of harmony between the two cultures, religions, and countries and a Cossack tumbler doll along with the following comment: “So that no economic crisis will ever put you off balance.” After the reception, the Uk­rai­nians were invited to board a helicopter to get a bird’s-eye view of the city.

Afterward, Sheikh Mubarak Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan had an informal reception at his palace for over 200 guests. He had two ladies seated on both sides of his place, one from Great Britain and the other one from Ukraine-Valentyna Balabanova-and of­fe­red them food from the table with his own hands, a sign of highest respect in the Arab world. The guests attended a concert staged by physically handicapped children that were invited from all parts of the world.

Official Kyiv began cooperating with the Emirates this fall, during the first Euro 2012 forum that was held at the Ukrainian House and attended by representatives of many counties. This was followed by a gala concert at the Ukraine Palace, entitled “Stars of Culture, Sports, and Business to Children of Ukraine.” With this economic and cultural formats Ukrainians have been invited to visit 14 countries, including the Emirates. UAE officials took interest in Ukraine and even suggested that it become a co-organizer of the fair.

Sheikh Mubarak Bin Mo­ham­med Al Nahyan agreed to take personal care of the Ukrainian forum: “I shall lend you a hand and give you the wings, so Ukraine can demonstrate its great culture to our great country.”

Ukrainians will bring to the Emirates not only an economic exhibit demonstrating our industrial achievements, but also a classical and pop music festival. Children from all over Ukraine will take part in a show for children. The president’s beloved wife Fatima is expected to open this festival for children. There will be art displays featuring the works of our painter Dmytro Achkasov and sculptor Oleh Pinchuk. Visitors will be introduced to the Trypillian culture presented by folk artist Liudmyla Smoliakova and fashion shows with collections by Serhii Yermakov, Diana Dorozhkina, Olena Holets, Feliks Rodionov, and Olena Hanzha.