“Create & Shine”, a nationwide art festival — a psychosocial project designed to support children from vulnerable categories aged 12 to 17.
Every year, the festival becomes a space of safety, acceptance, and creative self-expression, where art turns into a language that helps children find themselves, process emotions, and restore the joy of creation — through painting, play, words, and movement.
During the festival, children engage in creative sessions and workshops on illustration, writing, and other forms of art. These activities help them explore their emotions and experiences, discover new ways of expressing them, and activate their creativity and artistic vision.
An important part of the program is the creation of zine booklets. Each zine is a unique creative product authored by a child. Through this art form, children tell their stories, share their thoughts, dreams, and vision of the world, transforming personal experiences into strength and inspiration.
The project strengthens children’s inner resources, supports their personal development, and helps them express themselves more boldly through creativity. During their participation in the festival, children discover ways to speak about what is important — their world, feelings, and experiences.
The final stage will be a joint product — the online exhibition “Library of Children’s Worlds” — a collection of unique children’s zines that unites the stories of children from all over Ukraine.
