Watermelons, Foam, and Resilience: A Summer Celebration in Podilsk

A lively crowd of children and adults gathers around a table covered with a watermelon-patterned tablecloth at the Podilsk Watermelon Festival 2025. The table is filled with baskets and plates of sliced watermelon, and participants reach for pieces while wearing bright clothing and watermelon-themed hats. The atmosphere is festive and cheerful.

September 2, 2025

A New School Year, A Continuing Struggle

As students across Ukraine and the UK step into a new academic year, it is now—on 2 September 2025—1,286 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. An event that not only reshaped the lives of millions of Ukrainians but also marked the birth of Actions Beyond Words (ABW). That moment changed the lives of our volunteers, friends, and colleagues from across the globe, not least our Ukrainian partners with whom we stand steadfastly, shoulder to shoulder.

Share the Joy

Most of the stories we tell highlight the achievements of our teams and partners working to support Ukraine in times of crisis. Rarely do we get the opportunity to write about the direct happiness and joy of the Ukrainian people we are supporting. This summer, however, we had the privilege of supporting an extraordinary project—an event that was both a success for the community and a celebration of Ukrainian resilience.

A table covered with a watermelon-themed tablecloth displaying a variety of watermelon dishes and drinks. Platters include watermelon with cheese, nuts, and herbs, sliced watermelon, and beverages garnished with mint. Hands are seen arranging and photographing the food. — Watermelon dishes created by SOLODOV restaurant

A group of five adults and one child stand in front of a colourful watermelon-themed backdrop with sponsor logos. Two women wear matching dresses with watermelon prints, while the others hold watermelon halves and drinks. The child is being held by a woman in a beige top and black skirt. — Alex and the team

Large group of children playing in foam at 2025 Watermelon Festival in Podilsk, Ukraine, many wearing festive white hats with red and green patterns. The scene is full of laughter, bubbles, and excitement. — Sea Foam and Watermelon Hats – Great times

Building Partnerships in Podilsk

Over the past year, ABW has completed several successful projects in and around Podilsk and the Odessa Oblast—including delivering a reconditioned firetruck and spending special time with staff and students at Lyceum School No. 1. Alongside this work, we continue to cultivate a strong network of local support. Read that blog here.

One important connection has been with Alex Taranyuk [Oleksandr Taranyuk], who works in education and culture and was introduced to us through a teacher friend and colleague. Though we have yet to meet face-to-face, our relationship has grown, and when Alex approached us with a project designed to bring joy and unity to children whose families have been directly impacted by the war, it felt like the perfect fit.

500 Kilograms of Watermelons, 300 Smiles

On 5 August, Podilsk hosted the much-loved Watermelon Party Festival. With 500 kilograms of watermelons, a sea of foam, dozens of games, laughter, and unique decorations, it became the highlight of the summer. Around 300 children and their families joined in—from babies just six months old to grandparents in their seventies—proof that joy has no age limit.

Organised by the team at the Goncharenko Cultural Centre, the festival featured:

Themed quests and children’s entertainment
Creative workshops and photo zones
A masterclass in watermelon-themed dishes by SOLODOV restaurant
A dreamy foam party for the children

“Childhood today is overshadowed by war, but we are doing everything to paint it with bright colours. The children of military personnel, fallen heroes, and prisoners of war were at the holiday. Such meetings are about unity and support for those who are going through the most difficult moments. And at the same time, it’s an opportunity for all children to get distracted and regain at least some of the ‘normality’ that the Russians took away from us.”
— Oleksandr Taranyuk, Director, Goncharenko Cultural Centre

A young child wearing a white and red watermelon-patterned bucket hat, light blue striped shirt, and white shorts stands in front of a table filled with colourful watermelon slices decorated with cocktail umbrellas and small plastic stirrers. at festive summer themed event. Podilsk Watermelon Festival 2025 — More Watermelon dishes created by SOLODOV restaurant

Three women pose outdoors in matching white dresses with watermelon prints and red belts, standing in sea foam in front of a large rose decoration and brick wall as part of the Podilsk Watermelon Festival 2025. — Watermelon dresses thanks to the Crazy Needles Group

A wicker basket filled with bucket hats featuring a watermelon print, displayed on a table at Podislk Watermelon Festival 2025 — Buck hats for the children, ABW supported the material purchase.

Creativity, Food, and Community Spirit

Volunteers from the Crazy Needles group brought the celebration to life with hand-sewn watermelon-print dresses, tablecloths, and Panama hats, transforming the centre into a vibrant summer festival. Meanwhile, SOLODOV restaurant’s hostess, Olga Danilenko, prepared fresh and inventive dishes—light salads, snacks, and refreshing drinks—all centred on the juiciest ingredient of the season.

Oleksandr Taranyuk went on to say:

“We are celebrating the Watermelon Festival for the fifth time, but as always, we tried to make it unforgettable and bright. It took us only a week to prepare. We bought the fabric for the decorations from three different stores across Ukraine. Thank you to Actions Beyond Words and all partners, volunteers, and especially ‘Crazy Needles’—you made the holiday truly special.”

Why This Matters

For us at Actions Beyond Words, supporting this festival alongside our Ukrainian partners was about much more than watermelons and foam. It was about giving children—many of whom have parents serving on the front line—a rare moment of normality, laughter, and joy.

Simon Massey, Founder of ABW, said:

“In the face of ongoing war, the Watermelon Party stood as a reminder of what resilience really looks like. Families united, children laughing, and a community celebrating together: proof that even in the darkest days, Ukraine’s spirit remains unbreakable. Sadly, none of the team were able to join the celebrations this year, but we hope our invitation stands and that we can join in next year. Fingers crossed that it might even be in peace time. Well done to all those who set out—under Alex’s guidance—to deliver this wonderful project.”

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