The third MILAGRO Local Assembly, on April 4 in Utrecht, brought together a vibrant mix of
community members, students, and newcomers for an evening of connection, storytelling, and
cultural exchange at the HerculesHoek community center, a space managed by the local partner
Welkom in Utrecht.
The evening began with a shared dinner, where participants — including Ukrainian refugees,
neighborhood residents, students from University College Utrecht, and volunteers from Welkom
in Utrecht — worked together to prepare the tables and set the scene. The meal featured dishes
from Greek, Italian, Ukrainian, and Turkish traditions, accompanied by a playlist of favorite
songs collected from all participants, creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere.
Following dinner, the audience enjoyed a storytelling performance by the participants from the
MILAGRO storytelling workshops led by Soula Notos. Soula introduced the workshops and
their importance. This was followed by a welcome from Welkom in Utrecht and an overview of
the MILAGRO project by Tatiana Bruni, a project manager in Utrecht.
The performances began with a moving piece by a Ukrainian musician playing the traditional
Bandura. Then, the storytellers took the stage one by one, sharing personal stories that moved the
audience to both laughter and tears. The evening concluded with informal conversation, music,
and the sharing of leftover food, leaving participants with a sense of connection and anticipation
for future events.
The Local Assembly showcased the power of simple, grassroots initiatives to bring people
together across cultures and create lasting bonds within the city of Utrecht.
