As the sun dipped behind the New York skyline on the final evening of May 31, the Hudson River came alive with the sights, sounds, and spirit of Ukraine. Aboard a packed Circle Line cruise ship docked at Pier 83, more than 600 guests stepped into a floating celebration for the Grand Opening 2025 Ukrainian Boat in Manhattan — the launch of the Ukrainian cultural event season in New York City.
Despite the swirling forecasts of wind and rain, the event drew a full house of revelers who braved the breezes and were rewarded with an unforgettable night of music, food, dance, and solidarity — all set against a backdrop of New York’s glowing skyscrapers and the ever-iconic Statue of Liberty.
As attendees lined up along the pier to board, they were warmly welcomed by Ukrainian patriots in traditional embroidered costumes, offering smiles, photos, and a heartfelt toast — complete with shot glasses of vodka, a slice of buterbrod topped with salo, and a crunchy pickle, in true Ukrainian fashion.
“This was more than just a party,” said Denys Kanel, CEO of Geometria and the dynamic force behind Ukrainian.us. “It was a declaration that the Ukrainian spirit is alive, resilient, and proud — even thousands of miles away from home.”
Kanel, an entrepreneur and DJ who immigrated to the U.S. in 2014, launched these signature Ukrainian Boat Parties in the summer following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Since then, they’ve become cultural milestones — a place where the diaspora unites and gathers to celebrate their heritage, lift each other’s spirits, and showcase the vibrant fusion of tradition and modern Ukrainian identity. He not only played host and organizer, he also manned the music board mixing beats and sounds on stage as the DJ known as Kanel, turning the decks into a pulse point of energy on the water.
The night presented a star-studded lineup of Ukrainian talent – Ksana, beloved finalist of The Voice, Anolia, influencer and singer who once carried the Ukrainian flag down the Cannes red carpet and Olivan, pop innovator with a sound he calls “intellectual pop.” The event also featured DJ Anahata, Lesya Verba, Deltaplan, Molchan, MC Stanislavsky, and the powerful vocals of Viktoriya Kantor, who despite the howling wind joked, “The wind was so wild, my headpiece almost flew away! But nothing could stop the music, the views, or the Ukrainian spirit on that boat.”
Ukrainian folk dances, dazzling costumes, and a smorgasbord of traditional cuisine brought the cultural flavor full circle. Attendees browsed stalls for embroidered garments, artisan jewelry, and hand-crafted trinkets while savoring pierogi, borscht and even caviar — all while being serenaded by the Hudson’s crashing waves and the boat’s pulsing rhythms.
“This event is magic,” said one first-time guest who arrived in the U.S. only six months ago. “I came feeling like a stranger [in a strange land]. I leave feeling like family.”
The event also underscored how the Ukrainian-American community continues to thrive and integrate. Many attendees were recent arrivals — students, workers, families — rebuilding their lives while never losing touch with their roots. Kanel’s events have become vital bridges, connecting the old world with the new, but also brought those of Ukrainian descent and their families who have emigrated to the U.S. many years ago.
Saturday’s cruise marked not just a celebration, but a reaffirmation of unity, strength, and identity — all buoyed by the dancing lights and breathtaking views of Manhattan and the symbolic presence of new arrivals coming face to face with Lady Liberty standing watch in the harbor.
What’s Next on the Hudson:
Following the grand kickoff, the Ukrainian event season continues with the Ukrainian White Boat in Manhattan on Saturday, June 28, a glamorous all-white-themed cruise featuring artists like Vlad Yama, Andrii Shatyrko, Oleksandr Kryvoshapko, Vito Lee, Elen Smile, and more. Two stages, more music, more dancing, and more emotion await with hot sizzling summer days ahead!
For tickets and event updates: Ukrainian.us/events/whiteboat
