Number of beneficiaries involved: 615

The problem that brought us to UPSHIFT: young people have been living in a state of constant emotional stress for 5 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and full-scale war.

The solution found at UPSHIFT: the team held a historical festival “Knights of the Southern Shores”, which brought together more than 800 visitors during its activities per day.

The team members are representatives of the Association of Historical Fencing and Reconstruction of the same name, which has been operating for more than 20 years. On the territory of the Odessa Church, the girls organized many activities: knightly battles, archery, master classes and lectures, an exhibition of medieval curiosities and much more. The festival helped local residents to get away from everyday worries, get acquainted with medieval history, the traditions of European knights and spend their time actively.

Thanks to UPSHIFT, the girls were able to open a recruitment at the club for a new children's section of medieval combat in soft equipment!

The participants are now working on the program of a new, larger festival, planned for the summer of 2024.