News KHK – Integration of refugees from Ukraine in Romania

Childhood Can’t Wait: Interactive Workshop for Ukrainian Refugees with Dinosaurs and Sweet Surprises

On April 11, 2025, In a day where imagination met reality, 8 children and 7 adults took part in a carefully crafted and heartfelt workshop organized under the “Integration of Refugees from Ukraine in Romania” project, carried out by AIDRom with financial support from Brot für die Welt. The event unfolded in a warm and welcoming space devoted to joy, learning, and the magic of childhood.The theme of the workshop was the “interactive book for children,” offering young participants a fascinating journey into the world of dinosaurs through a digital application that brought the stories to life. The children were delighted and fully engaged, discovering prehistoric creatures in an experience that blended education with play.

At the end of the activity, the little ones were surprised with sweet treats — Kinder eggs, cozonac, and juice-filled goodie houses — while adults relaxed with tea, coffee, and a selection of biscuits and fruits. The children’s smiles were the clearest proof that real childhood joy can be nurtured even in difficult times, as long as care and solidarity are present.

For refugee children, workshops like these are more than recreational moments — they are emotional lifelines, safe spaces to dream, learn, and bond with their families. AIDRom remains committed to offering environments where both children and their parents feel seen, supported, and empowered — laying the foundation for meaningful, human-centered integration.

Discovering Nature’s Story: Ukrainian Refugees Visit the Antipa Museum

On April 7, 2025, the “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History opened its doors once again to a group of 15 Ukrainian refugees, offering them a deep and vibrant journey into the wonders of Earth’s biodiversity. The visit was part of the “Integration of Refugees from Ukraine in Romania” project, carried out by AIDRom with financial support from Brot für die Welt, and was coordinated by Cătălina Niculescu.Participants explored Romania’s rich natural landscape by visiting exhibits representing the country’s five bioregions — alpine, continental, panonic, steppe, and pontic. On the ground floor, they were introduced to global wildlife displayed in biogeographic zones, offering a broader view of life across continents.

A highlight of the visit was the special butterfly exhibition — a gentle world of color and grace that brought smiles and wonder. The day unfolded as a tranquil, engaging exploration where science became a bridge to the world and a path to inner connection.

Educational visits like this one play a vital role in the integration process, allowing refugees to connect with the host country’s natural and cultural heritage. The Antipa Museum visit wasn’t just about biology — it was about belonging. AIDRom remains committed to building these bridges, turning knowledge into shared, lived experience.

Nature and Soul Framed: Craft Workshop for Ukrainian Refugee Women

On April 7, 2025, nine Ukrainian refugee women experienced the healing power of creativity during a craft workshop held as part of the “Integration of Refugees from Ukraine in Romania” project, carried out by AIDRom with financial support from Brot für die Welt. Under the guidance of coordinator Cătălina Niculescu, the participants created beautiful handmade frames using dried flowers, leaves, and various decorative accessories.The event took place in a cozy, welcoming space where tea, coffee, and traditional cozonac added to the warm atmosphere. With gentle hands and a keen eye for detail, the women transformed simple materials into unique artworks — a fusion of natural elements and personal expression.

These handcrafted frames were more than just decorations. They reflected inner renewal, offering the participants a chance to express themselves, take a break from the uncertainty of their daily lives, and reconnect with patience, beauty, and creativity.

AIDRom continues to support these women beyond their basic needs — offering opportunities to build meaning, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Through creative, heart-centered experiences, integration becomes a personal and empowering journey.

Words That Connect: Romanian Language Club and Courses for Ukrainian Refugees in Bucharest

On Lieutenant Ionescu Baican Street no. 22, in a space filled with the sound of new words and joyful laughter, 45 Ukrainian refugees are shaping a new chapter in their lives. As part of the “Integration of Refugees from Ukraine in Romania” project, carried out by AIDRom with financial support from Brot für die Welt, the month of March was dedicated to deepening Romanian language skills and forging a genuine connection with the host country’s culture.Throughout the month, 15 participants gathered for the Reading Club — a unique community where learning took the shape of games, open discussions, and curiosity. Led with care and energy by our colleagues Daniela Nedeșu and Silvia Deaconu, the sessions touched on themes of history, geography, literature, and science. With warm tea, cookies, and friendly conversations, participants gained the confidence to speak Romanian and express themselves more freely.

At the same time, two new Romanian language course groups were launched, welcoming a total of 30 learners. Divided by skill level, they attend classes on Tuesdays/Thursdays and Wednesdays/Fridays, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Their desire to learn stems from a deep need to adapt, to find jobs, and to communicate naturally with those around them.

These activities are more than language lessons — they are exercises in trust, belonging, and personal rebuilding. The Romanian language becomes a bridge through which Ukrainian refugees regain their voice and actively participate in the society that welcomed them. AIDRom provides not just educational settings, but a friendly and supportive environment where every step forward is seen and celebrated.

Music That Heals: Ukrainian Refugees Welcomed at the Romanian Athenaeum

Bucharest, March 2025 – Three unforgettable evenings at the Romanian Athenaeum brought comfort, emotion, and beauty to the lives of dozens of Ukrainian refugees, who were offered the rare opportunity to immerse themselves in classical and contemporary music, as part of the project “Integration of Refugees from Ukraine in Romania”, carried out by AIDRom with financial support from Brot für die Welt. On March 4th, 25 refugees attended the electrifying concert of the VOŁOSI ensemble — a powerful fusion of Balkan, oriental, classical, and rock influences. The Polish quintet turned the Athenaeum into a space of collective catharsis. The event marked the Polish-Romanian Solidarity Day, within the Poland-Romania Cultural Season 2024–2025. Special thanks to the George Enescu Philharmonic for generously offering free tickets. On March 12th, another group of 30 refugees enjoyed the elegance of Trio Alpha: violinist Valentin Șerban, cellist Ștefan Cazacu, and pianist Ioan-Dragoș Dimitriu. The evening featured expressive interpretations of Brahms’ Piano Trio No. 1 and Dvořák’s emotional “Dumky” Trio No. 4. On March 25th, 16 participants attended the Tuesday Evening Season featuring violinist Na Na Zhang and pianist Eliza Puchianu. Their program included moving works by Beethoven, Grieg, and Ravel, with the exuberant “Tzigane” bringing the evening to a vibrant close.

These musical encounters offered more than cultural enrichment — they were islands of peace for hearts burdened by war, separation, and uncertainty. In the majestic setting of the Athenaeum, refugees found moments of reconnection, tranquility, and emotional healing. Music became a bridge to integration, a tool for adapting to a new society through shared emotions and values. AIDRom made this experience possible, proving that integration goes beyond material support — it means embracing culture, dignity, and humanity.

In Arghezi’s World: Ukrainian Refugees Discover a Pillar of Romanian Literature

Six Ukrainian refugees stepped on March 27, 2025, into the poetic universe of Tudor Arghezi, one of Romania’s most renowned literary figures, during a cultural and educational visit to his memorial house, known as “Mărțișor.” The activity was organized as part of the “Integration of Refugees from Ukraine in Romania” project, carried out by AIDRom with financial support from Brot für die Welt.
Located on Piscului Hill in the southeastern part of Bucharest, the house offered a serene retreat into history. Inside its 18 rooms, the visitors discovered the poet’s personal library with thousands of volumes, a 1930s radio, and carefully preserved personal items. A special moment of the tour was visiting Arghezi’s study, where an over 150-year-old wooden icon still watches over the poet’s writing desk and simple bed.
This visit went beyond literary appreciation — it offered participants a rare glimpse into Romanian cultural roots and the powerful connection between memory, space, and the written word. For those who had to leave their homes and rebuild their lives in a foreign language, encountering a national literary symbol was both a gesture of respect and an invitation to cultural integration.
AIDRom continues to provide refugees with access to Romania’s cultural, artistic, and historical treasures, recognizing that integration is not only about survival, but also about building emotional and cultural belonging.

Healing on Canvas and Dreams in Color: Creative Workshops for Ukrainian Refugee Women in Bucharest

In a warm, welcoming space on Lt. Ionescu Baican Street no. 22, Ukrainian refugee women poured their emotions and hopes into art, as part of the “Integration of Refugees from Ukraine in Romania” project, carried out by AIDRom with financial support from Brot für die Welt.
On March 10th, 15 women participated in an art therapy session themed “Canvas”. Blank canvases became mirrors of their souls, decorated with wheat stalks, decorative flowers, beads, and colorful markers. Guided by the AIDRom team, each woman expressed her memories, longing, and hopes through vibrant visual compositions. Their dexterity and creativity transformed silence into a colorful display of resilience and beauty.
Two weeks later, on March 24th, six of these women reunited for a “Dream Catcher” crafting workshop. Using metal hoops, colored threads, and vibrant feathers, they wove not just objects, but pieces of themselves – stories of endurance, fragments of hope. Surrounded by tea, cookies, and a soothing atmosphere, they crafted symbols of dreams worth holding onto.
These workshops are more than creative pastimes. They are essential steps toward healing, adaptation, and building a new life far from home. Through art, these women rediscover strength, voice, and community – elements vital to their integration into Romanian society.
AIDRom made these healing encounters possible, showing that true integration means fostering expression, dignity, and belonging.

A Journey Through Time and Nature: Ukrainian Refugees Visit the Antipa Museum

Eleven Ukrainian refugees stepped on March 24, 2025, into a fascinating world of science and biodiversity during a visit to the “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History, organized as part of the “Integration of Refugees from Ukraine in Romania” project, carried out by AIDRom with financial support from Brot für die Welt.As a long-standing and generous partner, the Antipa Museum once again offered free admission and warmly welcomed the project’s participants. They explored the museum’s permanent exhibitions, embarking on a journey through Romania’s natural history and global ecosystems. From the five major bioregions of the country – alpine, continental, panonic, steppe, and pontic – to global fauna displayed in a biogeographic layout, each hall revealed something new and enlightening.

A special highlight of the visit was the butterfly exhibition on the ground floor. The vibrant colors, delicate wings, and diversity of species added a poetic touch to a day dedicated to scientific exploration.

This visit wasn’t merely an educational outing — it was a reconnection with the rhythms of life and nature. For the refugees, it offered a chance to learn, marvel, and momentarily escape the weight of past turmoil. Discovering the natural heritage of their new host country helps them feel more integrated, more rooted in a society that values education, culture, and belonging.

Through such initiatives, AIDRom continues to support not only the practical needs of integration but also the emotional and intellectual connection to a new homeland.

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A Day of Beauty and Reward: Ukrainian Refugees on a Trip to Sinaia

For 50 Ukrainian refugee women, March 12 was more than just a day trip — it was a celebration of achievement and a well-deserved break. After months of active participation in Romanian language classes offered through the “Integration of Refugees from Ukraine in Romania” project, carried out by AIDRom with financial support from Brot für die Welt, these women were rewarded with a meaningful excursion to Sinaia.

The majestic Peleș Castle welcomed them with history, elegance, and a glimpse into Romania’s royal heritage. Each hall was an opportunity to connect with the culture of their new country, and for many, this was their first encounter with such an iconic historical site in Romania.

The day continued with a warm meal at the Palace Restaurant in Sinaia — a moment that fostered peace, social bonding, and a renewed sense of community. Stories were shared, smiles exchanged, and for a few hours, the burden of displacement was lightened.

This excursion was not just a reward, but a symbol of recognition — a confirmation that their efforts, perseverance, and will to integrate are seen, valued, and celebrated. In the context of dislocation and uncertainty, a single day in the mountains became a vital step toward trust, belonging, and emotional healing. AIDRom remains committed to creating such moments, recognizing that integration means more than educational or material support — it also means joy, recognition, and hope for a better future.