🇪🇺 TEEN European Digital Community: Cherry Tree in Bloom from Vinnytsia, Ukraine

Cherry Tree in Bloom

I am a Theatre Department student at the Leontovych Vinnytsia College of Arts, driven by the belief that culture is a powerful tool for social change. My path combines performing arts and cultural management: I have implemented grant-funded projects such as the “Art&Sense” festival, co-organized youth and educational events, and worked on initiatives that connect communities through creativity. My perspective also expanded internationally through experiences like the WAMA Film Festival in Poland. I’m eager to connect with like-minded creators and help build a brighter cultural future for Ukraine and beyond.

The soil / the need

I first got into theatre when I was very young, attending fairy-tale performances with my class. I remember seeing child actors my own age on stage and feeling a mix of jealousy and admiration — I wanted to be there too. At the time, I had many illusions about the profession, but even then I felt a strong desire to belong to that world. At thirteen, I joined an acting club, and despite people warning me about the instability of the profession, I was too stubborn to choose another path. That stubbornness helped me prepare and enroll in arts college.

The first seed

A theatre workshop / lab.

Tell us about that first spark

The specific spark happened during a school trip to a play. I saw children my own age performing on stage, and I felt jealousy and inspiration at the same time. That was the moment I realized that the stage was not only for adults — and I desperately wanted to be where they were.

Roots (people & experiences that shaped your path)

My roots are the theatre school and the actors who taught there, helping me grow in this field. I have watched hundreds of films and dozens of performances across the country, and each one shaped my taste and understanding. Another important part is the theatre department at my college and the creative people around me who describe the world in a special way. Teamwork and stage partnership are also central — partnership is everything in this profession.

The trunk (what keeps you in theatre)

What keeps me going is the happiness of being among creative people and the process of creating something together. Even though the professional path can be unstable and difficult, the magic of the stage and the uniqueness of the theatre community keep me connected.

Branches (future / desire)

In the future, I hope theatre becomes my main professional life. I want to keep improving my skills and find my place on the professional stage. I hope theatre gives me more opportunities to express my ideas and discover new cultural adventures across Europe — just like this project.

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? Why?

A cherry tree. When it blooms, it can seem romanticized and maybe not “useful” to everyone. But later it matures and produces fruit — sour for some, a favorite for others. In art, it feels similar: the beauty of the process eventually becomes a result that each person experiences differently.

Contact

Instagram: @vicky.bnd