Celebrate the holiday season in the spirit of hope, freedom, and family at the Victims of Communism Museum. Discover our powerful exhibits during VOC’s Open House from 9am to 3pm on Saturday, December 6, and experience stories of resilience, hope, and freedom. An interactive scavenger hunt will be provided to guide young visitors through our educational exhibits.
Starting at 1:00 PM, join us for our Children’s Program, featuring snacks and drinks, a reading of The Peanut Man by Cuban author Carmen Agra Deedy, a cultural dance performance by the DC Music Academy’s SLAVA School of Ukrainian Music and Dance Children’s Ensemble, presentation of the Captive Nations Menorah, and the lighting of VOC’s annual Captive Nations Christmas Tree.
DC Music Academy’s SLAVA School of Ukrainian Music and Dance celebrates Ukrainian culture through vibrant performances that highlight unity, resilience, and heritage. The ensemble’s young dancers share the beauty of traditional Ukrainian music and dance and spread joy and cultural pride wherever they perform, from the Kennedy Center to community festivals across the region.
In The Peanut Man, author Carmen Agra Deedy tells the heartwarming story of Coqui, a young Cuban girl whose family flees Havana for a new life in the United States. An unexpected encounter in her new city of Atlanta connects her two worlds in a beautiful and surprising way. This reading will be conducted by VOC’s Latin America Studies Program Officer, Ana Leca-Harmata, a witness of communism in her home country of Venezuela.
In addition, VOC welcomes you to join us for a special Captive Nations Christmas Tree Lighting, honoring the enduring spirit of those who have fought for freedom and celebrating the season of hope and unity. Explore ornaments from around the world that represent nations once held captive under communism and the shared dream of freedom from tyranny.
Join us for a day of education, storytelling, and Christmas cheer that reminds us all of the true gifts of the season.
