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Maslyana in London

Updated: Apr 16


A community case study by Bear With Me Coffee - February 28, 2026


How Ukrainian Culture, Community and Coffee Brought People Together


In the heart of West London, inside the historic Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, the elegant Soane’s Garden Room became a space where winter was gently said goodbye - and where Ukrainian culture came vividly to life. Maslyana (Maslyanitsa), the traditional Ukrainian celebration of the arrival of spring, brought together around 200 guests from Ukrainian and British communities. More than an event, it became a shared experience of warmth, connection, and cultural exchange - reflecting a growing Ukrainian presence in London.



A Community-Led Cultural Event in London

The event was delivered and organised by BRIDGE for Ukrainians and Ealing & Hounslow Community Volunteering Service, funded by Ealing Council. BRIDGE for Ukrainians continues to play a key role in supporting Ukrainian refugees and migrants in the UK, creating spaces where culture, education, and community engagement foster  integration.

The initiative is led by Olena Horkovenko - Chair of BRIDGE for Ukrainians Charitable Organisation (CIO), Olga Dudnik - Services Manager of the Ukrainian Project, EHCVS, and Anya Abdulakh - Project Consultant -  a team dedicated to building meaningful connections between Ukrainian and British communities.




Bear With Me Coffee: Bringing Ukrainian Coffee Culture to London

At the heart of the event was Bear With Me Coffee - a small independent business founded by Stacy and Slava Babych. Together with Anastasiia Kopan, the team created more than just a coffee service - we brought an atmosphere. Guests were welcomed with speciality coffee, warm drinks, and a thoughtful visual identity that blended Ukrainian cultural references with a contemporary London aesthetic.

This reflects a broader movement: Ukrainian small businesses in London are not only building economic independence but actively shaping the city’s cultural landscape.




Ukrainian Culture Abroad: A Living Experience

Maslyana 2026 demonstrated how Ukrainian traditions can evolve while remaining deeply authentic.

The cultural programme included:

  • A performance by the Stelmakh family ensemble

  • A solo performance by Tetiana Makovei, accompanied by Olga Dudnik

  • Poetry readings by Stacy Babych, Oleksandra Serheniuk, and Hanna Serheniuk

  • A children’s creative programme led by Emma Marcu

  • A piano performance by Oleksandr Kravchenko


One of the most emotional moments was a poetry reading by Stacy Babych, who recited “Nadiya” by Lesya Ukrainka. Alongside her, Hanna Serheniuk performed “Sadok Vyshnevyi Kolo Khaty” by Taras Shevchenko, while Oleksandra Serheniuk read “Nepora” by Ivan Franko. These works carried a powerful message: Ukrainian identity is not only preserved abroad - it continues to grow, be shared, and inspire.


One of the most emotional moments was a poetry reading by Stacy Babych, who recited “Nadiya” by Lesya Ukrainka. Alongside her, Hanna Serheniuk performed “Sadok Vyshnevyi Kolo Khaty” by Taras Shevchenko, while Oleksandra Serheniuk read “Nepora” by Ivan Franko.
Poetry readings by Stacy Babych, Oleksandra Serheniuk, and Hanna Serheniuk

Cultural Details That Matter

One of the most memorable elements of the event was the custom-designed coffee cups featuring Ukrainian literary figures - Taras Shevchenko, Lesya Ukrainka, and Ivan Franko. Produced in Ukraine and brought to London, these cups became more than a design element - they symbolised a connection between everyday rituals and cultural heritage.



Food, Connection, and Community

No Maslyana celebration is complete without nalysnyky (crepes) - a symbol of the sun and the coming of spring. At this event, food became a social connector. Guests shared meals, stories, and conversations, forming new relationships within the community.

Thanks to Delicate Gastrobar, the culinary experience was generous and welcoming, ensuring that every guest felt at home.



Building Partnerships That Matter

The event was supported by key community and institutional partners, including:

  • Niharika Batra - Head of Strategic Development, EHCVS; 

  • Richard Kornicki - Esquire, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Ealing, Patron of BRIDGE for Ukrainians;

  • Ealing Council;

Their involvement highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration in supporting migrant communities and cultural initiatives in London.




A Case Study in Community, Culture and Small Business

Maslyana in London is more than a celebration - it is a case study of how:

  • Community initiatives create real social impact

  • Small businesses contribute to cultural ecosystems

  • Partnerships strengthen integration and visibility

  • Culture becomes a bridge between people



Looking Ahead: The Future of Ukrainian Culture in London

Events like Maslyana are shaping a new reality for Ukrainians in the UK - one where culture is not lost, but evolves and finds new forms. For Bear With Me Coffee, this is part of a larger journey: building a business rooted in culture, community, and meaningful connection. And for London, it is a reminder that multiculturalism is not just coexistence - it is collaboration, creativity, and shared experience.



Credits & Acknowledgements: This event was made possible with the support of BRIDGE for Ukrainians, EHCVS and Ealing Council, alongside community partners and contributors.
Credits & Acknowledgements: This event was made possible with the support of BRIDGE for Ukrainians, EHCVS and Ealing Council, alongside community partners and contributors.

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What is speCialty cOffee — aNd why We chosE it.

Updated: Apr 11


Coffee is everywhere. But not all coffee is the same


When we talk about specialty coffee, we mean coffee that is grown, selected, and roasted with extra care - so you can actually taste the character of each bean rather than just “bitterness” or “caffeine”.

Specialty coffee is usually defined as high‑quality coffee that scores 80 points or more on a 100‑point scale created by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).This means the beans are checked for defects, evaluated for aroma, sweetness, balance, and clarity of flavour, and handled carefully at every step - from the farm to your cup.

For us at Bear with Me Coffee, specialty coffee is not a trend. It is the only way we want to work.


Why we work in specialty coffee

We started Bear with Me because we believe coffee should be more than “just a drink you grab on the way out”. It can be a small ritual that helps you slow down, breathe, and feel present - even for a few minutes.


Specialty coffee helps us do exactly that:

  • Better taste, less noise with carefully sourced and roasted beans, you get clear flavours - sweetness, fruitiness, chocolate notes - instead of a flat, burnt taste.

  • Respect for the people behind the coffee. Specialty coffee is about traceability and fairer value along the chain: farmers, producers, roasters, and you as the person who drinks it.

  • Consistency you can trust. Working with specialty standards means we care about every batch, not just “good enough” once in a while. If a coffee does not meet our quality expectations, it doesn’t go into your bag.

For us, specialty coffee is a way to connect our family experience, professionalism, and our love for everyday rituals in London and beyond.



Our coffee: What we Roast anD why

On our website you’ll find a simple structure: whole bean coffee, drip coffee bags, brew bags, and accessories to complete your home setup.


Whole beAn cofFee

Our specialty whole bean coffees are roasted to highlight the natural character of each origin.​

Whole beans are perfect for those who enjoy the full ritual: grinding, brewing, adjusting, and tasting.


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Drip cofFee baGs

Drip coffee bags are our answer for people who want specialty coffee without equipment or stress.​

Each sachet contains 12g of freshly roasted, ground coffee in a small filter you hang over your cup. You only need hot water and a mug - no grinder, no machine.

  • Ideal for office days, travel, studios, backstage, and busy mornings.

  • Perfect for sharing specialty coffee with someone who “doesn’t have a setup at home” but still wants something better than instant.

In the next blog post we will tell you more about our experience with drip bags.


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Brew bAgs

Brew bag is a single-serve coffee bag that holds 28g of freshly ground coffee. You simply add 400 ml of hot water, let it steep, and enjoy a clean filter-style cup - no extra equipment needed, just hot water, the brew bag, and your favourite mug. It’s perfect for travel, road trips, weekends with friends, picnics outside the city, or any moment when you want to make great coffee quickly for a small group.


Accessories

To support your ritual, we also offer accessories that make brewing easier and more enjoyable — from basic tools to items that complete your coffee corner at home or in the studio.​

Soon, we will present you our accessories range.


What we specIalise in

We are a small, family‑run, Ukrainian‑owned specialty coffee brand. Our focus is simple:

  • Roasting specialty coffee for real life. Coffee that fits into your actual routine: early mornings, late nights, shared kitchens, studios, and events - not just perfect café setups.

  • Making specialty coffee more accessible. With drip bags, brew bags, and clear information, we try to remove the fear that specialty coffee is “too complicated” or “only for experts”.

  • Creating coffee moments for people and events. We work with HoReCa partners, creative spaces, and events across the UK and Europe to bring high‑quality coffee to places where people meet, create, and celebrate.

Behind the scenes, our work is grounded in years of experience in the coffee industry and a strong connection to world's growing specialty coffee culture.​ On the surface, we simply want you to have a really good cup — and a small pause in your day.


 
 
 
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