In the warm atmosphere of autumn twilight and a light pre-winter breeze, a gathering event was held in the library of the village of Kochetok - a literary evening "Reading Time Tea Party" as part of the project "Community Voice in Local Self-Government" of the DOBRE Program in the Kharkiv region.
It was not just an event, but a real meeting for the soul, which united the residents of Kochetok, Zarozhne and Velyka Babchansky starostyn districts of Chuhuyiv territorial community. The event was attended by representatives of the Chuhuyiv-Babchansky Forestry Vocational College, community libraries, residents of the village of Kochetok, the villages of Zarozhne and Velyka Babka. Thanks to the active support of Anastasia Mayboroda, the starostyn of the village of Kochetok, the rallying event took place at the highest level.
BOOK, TEA, COMMUNICATION: HOW IT WAS
The participants were greeted by a lounge atmosphere: jazz music, soft blankets, lanterns, and aromatic tea. The first part of the event was moderated by Natalya Buynova, an expert in the project "Voice of the Community in Local Self-Government" of the DOBRE Program. The evening began with a casual introduction, where everyone shared their attitude to reading. Some admitted that books are a daily ritual for them before going to bed, while others frankly said that they buy books more often than they read. But it was this sincerity that created a special bond between the participants.
Then everyone had the opportunity to take books that had been purchased for the gathering, or choose something from the existing collection. Participants opened the pages, immersed themselves in the texts, found deep thoughts and meanings, which they then eagerly discussed in a circle of like-minded people. Natalka Marynchak, a Ukrainian poet, inspired those present with her lines and reflections, and Natalya Buynova directed the discussion in a creative direction.
FROM READING TO JOINT PROJECTS
The second part of the evening was devoted to developing ideas for the development of the cultural life of the community. The participants, together with the project expert Olga Makarova, discussed how to integrate such events in their starostats, create reading clubs, organize literary picnics, apartment parties or thematic meetings. It is important that the conversations went beyond books: they talked about partnership between starostats, involving young people in cultural life and creating common traditions.
This rallying cry was more than just an event. It set off a wave of change:
- The participants were inspired by ideas for joint cultural leisure.
- Library collections have been replenished with new books that have already found their readers.
- The groundwork has been laid for the annual fall literary evening.
The event proved that a book can be not only a source of knowledge, but also a platform for community unity. And now, thanks to the "Reading Time Tea Party" community unity event, a new tradition is emerging in the Chuguiv territorial community, uniting people around the culture of reading and interaction.
This is just the beginning of a great cultural journey. And who knows, maybe this warm autumn meeting will become the first line in the new history of the community.
The rally took place within the framework of the project "Community Voice in Local Government" of the Decentralization Delivers Better Results and Efficiency (DOBRE) Program, implemented by the international organization Global Communities and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
In the Kharkiv region, the implementer of the project "Voice of the Community in Local Self-Government" is the NGO "Agency of Local Initiatives".
