Hey Duggee Special Introduces Ukrainian Characters

BBC Studios has teamed up with Mother London and Animagrad to introduce the Ukrainian animation characters Mavka and Swampy the Kittyfrog in a new Hey Duggee special, The Welcome Badge.

Mavka and Swampy the Kittyfrog are from the Ukrainian animated film Mavka. The Forest Song. The characters speak Ukrainian and are welcomed by Duggee, the Squirrels and Hummingbirds with The Welcome Song, which includes translations of Ukrainian phrases.

Hey Duggee narrator Alexander Armstrong voices the story. He is joined by children from the U.K. and recently arrived from Ukraine, who all sing the words of the song in their native language.

The special is available across all Hey Duggee social channels YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, HeyDuggee.com and on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.

Harriet Newby-Hill, VP of marketing for kids and family at BBC Studios, said, “We are delighted to team up with Mother and Animagrad and feel very proud that Hey Duggee is playing its part to help children coming to the U.K. from Ukraine feel welcome in such a charming and educational way.”

Felix Richter, partner at Mother London, added, “Collaborating together on this project to help thousands of children see the value of friendship, across language barriers, has been an absolute privilege.”