The Barbareum open space is located at 8-12 Postgasse next to St. Barbara’s Greek Catholic Church in central Vienna. The room for it was vacated as a result of the reconstruction of the entire complex, which over the years was erected around the temple. Actually, the name Barbareum itself comes from the name of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara, written in Latin – Barbara. In addition, back in the 18th century, the first Greek Catholic Theological Seminary Barbareum operated at this place at the Church of St. Barbara.
This is reported by a Ukrinform journalist in Austria.
As the rector of the Greek Catholic Central Parish of St. Barbara in Vienna, Taras Shagalla, noted during the presentation of the open space, "Barbareum" is primarily a platform for activating public organizations in Vienna and Austria, a place for Communication, association and implementation of various creative ideas and initiatives.
“We intend to use this space primarily for the benefit of the church, for meetings with parishioners and holding various events. But we also want to share this space with you – Ukrainian organizations in Vienna, the Ukrainian community. This is an open space, a place of meetings, acquaintance and development, a place of culture and study, for everyone who loves Ukraine and Austria, learns from others in Austria, but also does not shy away from their own,” said Taras Shagala. “Therefore, we are ready to provide this space for projects, initiatives and events that, on the one hand, will help Ukrainians maintain their identity, and on the other hand, will allow them to better integrate into Austrian society."”
Barbareum Open Space will contain a hall with a small cafe that will work only for its own people, as well as two more rooms that are still being renovated – a library and a chapel.
During the presentation of Barbareum Open Space, the first small Ukrainian concert was also held: leading soloist of the Vienna National Opera Zoryana Kushpler, bandurist Elena Nechay Nosal, cellist Mykhailo Babych and the Halychanka group performed in front of the invited guests.
The team of Barbareum Open Space is still working on developing an application for how open space will work. But it has already been decided to hold regular meetings, which will start approximately at 19.00.
So, every Monday there will be a “game evening” – an opportunity to meet and play chess and other board games. On Tuesday, the Barbareum will host the Vyshyvanka school. Every Thursday, the “school of Christian life” will be held. And every Friday at the end of the working and school week, Ukrainians will be able to gather in the cafe "Barbareum” for “Ukrainian parties”. On Sunday, “Parish coffee” will be held (once a month it will be "charity coffee" – an action that has been going on for several years in the parish, when parishioners bring a variety of sweets and homemade cakes, which are then bought by others, and donations go to some charitable cause).
In addition, once a month, the Barbarium plans to hold an art evening – various literary readings, concerts, exhibitions, presentations, etc. And every quarter, the intellectual and entertaining cultural Game Geek Games will be held in the open space.