The first in Ukraine festival of Hasidic art under a symbolic name "Alia shel Hasidim" ("Hasidic spring") was held in Kharkov. An entire layer of this original and rich culture has emerged over three centuries' existence of this branch of Judaism.

The festival organizers see their aim in preserving and enriching this treasury.

This feast of Jewish culture attracted collectives and performers (vocalists, reciters, dancers) from the Kharkov, Poltava and Sumy regions. Of significance is that amateur from not only big centers of Jewish spiritual life but from small towns as well demonstrated true professionalism to delighted spectators and jury members.

The audience was particularly fond of the vocal instrumental groups "Shtetl" (Konotop), "Tamar" (Kharkov) and the ensemble of khesed "Shaarei Tikva". The jury awarded them three first prizes. Festival laureates among vocalists became M. Shames (Lubny), G. Petrushenko (Konotop), D. Stefanishin (Romny). A Merited artist of Ukraine Semen Nemirovsky from Sumy received the first prize for the stage adaptation of Isaac Babel's story. The second and third prizes were divided between young reciters - an 8- year-old Yura Sergeichuk from Lozovaya and 6-year-old resident of Izyum Dima Zhirnovsky. The only dancer, a 10-year-old Artem Sergeichuk, was awarded the first prize. Ensembles, vocalists and instrumentalists from many districts of the region received honorable diplomas. One of the festival laureates - the Konotop ensemble "Shtetl" - gave a solo concert in the Kharkov Palace of culture of builders.

I wish such festivals would further become all-Ukrainian.