Ukrainian children had to dance in front of French Embassy to receive visas

The participants of ensemble “Children of Ukraine” had to dance for 3 hours in front of the French Embassy to get visas to France in order to participate in the international festival. According to the Mission of Ukraine to European Communities, before they have been refused visas without explanations. Only after the 3-hours improvised concert organized as a protest, the visas have been issued, again without explanations.

Today it is more fun to stand in a queue for a visa to France. Boys and girls in Ukrainian national costumes  danced “arkan” and “kalinka” in the open air in front of the Embassy.

They and their parents hoped to make members of French Consulate sympathized after they have been refused to get visas. On July 4 the group had to leave for the International Festival to Normandy. Children have trained for the festival for half of year – 6 hours per day, three times per week. They reserved a bus well in advance and bought presents for the French families they had to stay with during 10 days. Every family of the children spent around 2000 grivnas (400 dollars) to prepare for this trip.

Administrator of the group assured that she sent all documents to the Embassy in time. In the Embassy they asked her telephone and promised to call if some problems with papers appear. For a month not a single call was received from the Embassy, however, at the day of the appointment, the children were informed their visas were denied. No detailed explanations have been given.

The dancing picket delivered results only in 3 hours. The Embassy staff asked children`s parents to take them away in order not to make the French consul nervous. All dancers got visas. Again, without comments …