Home CYM Canada IX Global СУМ Zlet

IX Global СУМ Zlet

2025-09-24

As a participant of the IX Global CYMZlet in Germany & Belgium, I found myself often answering the same questions when talking about my trip, so here they are…

Since CYM was founded in 1925 in Kyiv, why didn’t the 100^th Anniversary Zlet take place in Ukraine?

russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine created impossible conditions for international youth gatherings. This genocidal conflict that is targeting thousands of civilians in Ukraine makes international travel to Ukraine dangerous. The uncertainty of the current situation in Ukraine made planning and hosting a zlet for international youth next to impossible. Additionally, many UYA leaders are currently serving in military roles and involved in humanitarian aid projects, leaving the host country with reduced capacity to organize such large-scale events.

Why did the UYA decide to make the Zlet in Germany and Belgium?

Choosing these two countries, historically made sense. The UYA was renewed in 1946 in Germany after WWII, because thousands of patriotic Ukrainians were forcibly removed to Germany by the Nazis and ended up in DP camps. Incidentally, the participants of this year’s Zlet, visited Augsburg, the site where the first Oseredok was formed on Sommestrasse where some of the DP lagers where situated at the end of WWII from where many of the parents and grandparents of the participants were repatriated to Ukraine or assigned to countries where the UYA exists today, such as Belgium, France, Britain, Canada, the United States, Argentina, and Australia.

Is it true that there was a Zlet in Kyiv afterwards?

True. UYA in Ukraine held a national zlet in Kyiv as well. UYA in Ukraine continually monitored the situation in Ukraine and finally announced in March of 2025 that they were going to attempt to organize this gathering to acknowledge the 100^th Anniversary of UYA. The president, Andriy Bihun and vice-president Harry Nesmasznyj of Global UYA were able to attend and support this effort.

If this is the 9^th Zlet, where were all the others?

Many Zlets were held simultaneously with Olympic games or special Ukrainian or UYA anniversary years.

1972- Munich, 1976 -Montreal, 1984 -Los Angeles in conjunction with Olympics. Participants attended games and supported Ukrainian athletes that were forced to represent the Soviet Union.

1988 Rome in celebration of 1000 years of Christianity in Ukraine, 1992-1993 Melbourne and 2000 Sydney, Australia. 2001, 2006 – Ukraine, in celebration of the 10^th and 15^th year of Ukrainian independence.

There were also zlets in 1988 – Calgary during Winter Olympics and 1996 Atlanta – Summer Olympics albeit, for some reason without Roman numerals. In Atlanta, participants supported Ukrainian athletes who for the first time in 70 years represented a free and independent Ukraine.

How many people attended this summer’s Zlet?

250.

One of the most remarkable aspects of a zlet is the sheer diversity of participants. UYA members of different ages came from Germany, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Great Britain, Canada, USA, Argentina, Australia and there was even a small contingent that was able to come from Ukraine, despite the ongoing war.

The largest group was made up of university students and young professionals. The second group was senior members and the third group was parents and their young children. For each group the 100^th Anniversary was a momentous occasion.

What did participants see and do in Germany?

Participants visited sites, such as Nymphenburg and Neuschwanstein Castles, Old Munich, Olympic Park. But more importantly, they visited important historic sites for Ukrainians such as the Dachau Concentration Camp, Waldfriedhof – the gravesites of Stepan Bandera and Yarolslav Stetsko, the leaders of the Organization of the Ukrainian Nationalists, Hryhorij Vashchenko, founder of the UYA programming, the church in Puch dedicated to St. Edigna, the granddaughter of Ukrainian Prince Yaroslav, the Wise and daughter of Anna Yaroslavna, the Queen of France. Time was also spent breaking bread together and enjoying each others company during different social events and evening group activities.

What did participants do in Belgium?

In Belgium participants camped at Frankopole, a Ukrainian community camping site, where they celebrated Ukrainian culture with a gala concert. UYA Dance troupes ‘Podilya’ and ‘Hoverla’ as well as band ‘Topolya_uk’ from Manchester, England and choir ‘Verkhovyna’ from UYA Edmonton, Canada were among the performers at the concert. Other activities included a silent auction in support of Ukraine, singing Ukrainian songs around the bonfire, a volleyball tournament and a zabava to the sounds of ‘Topolya_uk’ and ‘CovKozaks’ as well as Sunday Mass celebrated by UYA general chaplain, Bishop Stepan Sus from Ukraine and GB chaplain, Fr. Taras. In Belgium, they also were able to visit the capital city of Brussels.

Why does the UYA organize global Zlet?

The bonds formed during zlet often last well beyond the event itself. Sharing intense experiences, and adventures creates deep connections among participants. Many participants maintain these friendships for years, creating a global network of peers and strengthens the UYA and the global Ukrainian community.