2:30 – 4:30pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 At our members’ request, our December reading is a collection of fairy tales. Christmas is a magical season when St. Nicholas (Святий Миколай) brings gifts to children in Ukraine, and on Christmas Eve the animals receive the gift of speech for one night. Many a Ukrainian child would run to the barn on Christmas Eve to see whether the animals would speak. We chose a book of fairy tales—stories from different lands—collected by Ukrainian writer Ivan Franko. The collection, When the Animals Could Talk (Коли ще звірі говорили), was first published in Lviv in 1899, when Lviv was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. A spirited anthology of animal tales gathered and retold by Ivan Franko, this collection blends Ukrainian and world folklore into sharp, witty fables where creatures think and speak like people. With humor and moral clarity, the stories explore themes of cleverness, justice, pride, greed, and compassion—inviting readers of all ages to reflect on human nature through the voices of the animal world. What to Read We’ll read the English-language translation published in 1987 in Soviet-occupied Ukraine. You’re welcome to read the full collection or just one story. Please also enjoy the artwork from the 1987 edition, which was not included in the original 1899 publication. Where to Find It When the Animals Could Talk (Dnipro, 1987) is available via Internet Archive—you can read it online or download it to your device. https://archive.org/details/ivan-franko-when-the-animals-could-talk-fables-dnipro-1987

9:30 – 11:00am Online Zoom Event Registration Required - See Special Events Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association is honored to host a conversation with Natalia Matolinets, author of All Necklaces Shielding the Goddess—a generational short story about Ukrainian women, resilience, memory, and the power of traditional jewelry as both amulet and symbol amidst war and displacement. All Necklaces Shielding the Goddess appears in the new collection, UNESCO City of Literature, an anthology combining articles, interviews, and reviews with four specially commissioned short stories from authors in Edinburgh, Exeter, Lviv, and Granada—showcasing how the UNESCO Creative Cities of Literature network sustains writers, readers, and global publishing. UNESCO City of Literature is available for free download: https://sites.exeter.ac.uk/mapublishing/unesco-cities-literature/

5:00–7:00 pm NW Portland Hostel | 479 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 We’re honored that Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association will be a featured guest speaker at GlobalPDX this month — sharing how Portland and Lviv are building bridges of friendship, culture, and humanitarian support between our two cities. GlobalPDX’s theme this month focuses on Portland–Ukraine relations, with special guest presentations, conversation, and networking among globally-minded changemakers. Don’t miss this inspiring evening — and bring a friend!

2:30 – 4:30pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 All Necklaces Shielding the Goddess is a generational short story about Ukrainian women, resilience, memory, and the power of traditional jewelry as both amulet and symbol amidst war and displacement. The story alternates between the perspectives of Steftsia, a village healer and witch living under occupation, and her granddaughter Niia, generations later. Steftsia is known for her collection of intricate and powerful necklaces—coral beads (korali), herdans (beaded ribbons), and zgardas (cross pendants)—each with cultural and protective significance. These necklaces serve as her strength, heritage, and magical shield, embodying both her personal and collective memory as a healer and woman in her community. All Necklaces Shielding the Goddess appears in a new collection, UNESCO City of Literature. The anthology combines articles, interviews, and reviews with four specially commissioned works of short fiction from authors in Edinburgh, Exeter, Lviv, and Granada—showcasing how the UNESCO Creative Cities of Literature network sustains writers, readers, and global publishing. All Necklaces Shielding the Goddess is available for free download: https://sites.exeter.ac.uk/mapublishing/unesco-cities-literature/ We hope you’ll join us for a rich and thought-provoking discussion. Happy reading!

2:30 – 4:30pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 Our follow-up discussion for The Unbearable Lightness of Being is Saturday, September 13 at 2:30 pm at Rose City Book Pub! Haven’t read The Unbearable Lightness of Being yet? Not to worry — you’re still welcome! You’ll get a taste of the plot and some lively discussion without any spoilers (unless you want them!). A perfect chance to get curious and see if it's something you want to read. Come for the company, stay for the conversation — book in hand or not.

11am–7pm Westmoreland Park (7530 SE 22nd Avenue, Portland). Celebrate Ukrainian culture with us at Ukrainian Day! Hosted by the Ukrainian Foundation, this free, family-friendly event features live music by Ukrainian and local musicians, traditional dance performances, national cuisine, artisan crafts, and hands-on workshops for all ages. Stop by the Portland-Lviv Friendship City booth to learn how we’re strengthening ties between Portland and Lviv, Ukraine through cultural exchange and humanitarian support. Explore our past and upcoming initiatives, meet our team, and find out how you can get involved in building community and international friendship. Let’s celebrate resilience, culture, and connection—together.

2:00 – 4:00pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 Set against the backdrop of 1968 Prague Spring and Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, The Unbearable Lightness of Being explores the intertwined lives of Tomas, Tereza, Sabina, and Franz. Through their loves, betrayals, and philosophical reflections, Kundera examines the tension between freedom and responsibility, body and soul, lightness and weight. This novel is a modern classic that beautifully weaves the political with the personal, the intimate with the historical. Whether you're revisiting or reading it for the first time, we hope you’ll join us for a rich and thought-provoking discussion. As always—no need to finish the book to attend, though be prepared for spoilers! Come for the company, stay for the conversation — book in hand or not.

2:00 – 4:00pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 Our follow-up discussion for Spaceman of Bohemia is Saturday, July 26 at 2:00pm at Rose City Book Pub! Haven’t read Spaceman of Bohemia yet? Not to worry — you’re still welcome! You’ll get a taste of the plot and some lively discussion without any spoilers (unless you want them!). A perfect chance to get curious and see if it's something you want to read. Come for the company, stay for the conversation — book in hand or not.

2:30 – 4:30pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 We’re excited to announce that our next book club pick is Spaceman of Bohemia, the acclaimed 2017 debut novel by Czech-American author Jaroslav Kalfař. Join us as we journey through this imaginative and poignant tale of cosmic adventure, national identity, and personal redemption. Start reading the book and/or watch the 2024 movie “Spaceman” and THEN read the book. Spaceman of Bohemia is a genre-bending work that combines science fiction, political satire, and philosophical reflection, all wrapped in a deeply personal story of identity and isolation. Ultimately, Spaceman of Bohemia explores themes of loneliness, redemption, exile, and the search for meaning in a post-totalitarian society. It’s poignant, darkly comic, and richly imaginative, offering a unique Eastern European perspective within a cosmic narrative.

7:00 – 9:00pm PCC - Cascade Campus Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building (MAHB) Room 104 705 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97217 Join us for a powerful film screening that captures 93 pivotal days in Ukraine—when peaceful student protests ignited a full-scale revolution to oust pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Driven by a desire to join the European Union and break free from Putin’s influence, Ukrainians took to the streets in late 2013 to fight for their future. Discussion after with members of the Portland Ukrainian Community.

It was a great pleasure to attend the Portland Sister City and Royal Rosarians Rose Festival Reception as representatives of Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association. The Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association was also honored to take part in the Portland Rose Parade, thanks to the gracious invitation extended by Yulia Brockdorf and DAWN. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Yulia and DAWN for including our members in this memorable event, which allowed us to join fellow members of the Ukrainian community in celebrating this cherished Portland tradition.

5:00 – 9:00pm Viking Pavilion at Portland State University Join Portland-Lviv Friendship City at International Night 2025 for an unforgettable evening of culture, food, and fun as we celebrate diversity and global connection. Enjoy performances, try delicious international cuisine, and make new friends from around the world. Everyone is welcome, so mark your calendars and bring your friends and family along! Tickets will be available soon!!