This year, Ukrainians abroad will celebrate the Independence Day of Ukraine, which has been held for the third year in a row under the conditions of a full-scale Russian invasion, by holding hundreds of events in dozens of countries around the world. The planned festivals, concerts, rallies, prayers, races, fairs and other events are designed not only to emphasize the significance of this largest national holiday of Ukraine, but also to remind the world community of the need to fight for the freedom and sovereignty of Ukraine, as well as to draw attention to the war and collect aid for Ukrainian compatriots.
Australia. In the cities of Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Geelong, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Perth, Ukrainian communities will celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine with various events that will unite Ukrainians from all over the country.
Austria. In Vienna, the Embassy of Ukraine, together with representatives of the Ukrainian clergy, organizes a joint prayer for Ukraine in St. Stephen’s Cathedral. This event is dedicated to the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence and commemoration of the victims of Russian aggression.
Belgium. In Brussels, on August 24, the Parc du Cinquantenaire will host the celebration of the anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine, where visitors will be able to enjoy a concert by Ukrainian artists and a folk crafts fair. Similar events will also be held in Ghent, Antwerp and Leuven.
Great Britain. In London, the celebration will take place near the monument to Volodymyr the Great, as well as at the Ukrainian Cultural Center “Dniester” in the city of Cheshant, a suburb of the British capital.
Greece. In Athens, on August 24, Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine will gather at Syntagma Square to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence. The next day, August 25, a service and prayer for Ukraine will be held in the Church of the Holy Trinity.
Georgia. In Tbilisi, Ukrainians will march from the monument to Taras Shevchenko to the Parliament of Georgia, demonstrating solidarity with Ukraine on Independence Day.
Denmark. A peaceful demonstration in support of Ukraine will be organized in Copenhagen on August 24. The organizers call on everyone who has freedom at heart to join this march by wearing embroidered shirts and carrying Ukrainian and Danish flags to support Ukraine’s struggle for freedom and the values of a democratic world.
Estonia. The Congress of Ukrainians of Estonia invites everyone to the traditional Gratitude Walk “Glory to Ukraine! Elagu Eesti!”, which will pass through the streets of the Old Town of Tallinn and end at Freedom Square, where a rally and concert of young performers will take place. In addition, on Saturday, the historical film “The Legend of Princess Olga” will be shown in the Sõprus cinema, and before the screening, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Estonia, Maksym Kononenko, will congratulate everyone on Independence Day.
Ireland. In Ireland, the celebration of the Independence Day of Ukraine will take place in several cities. In Dublin, on August 24, there will be a festive gathering on Hapenny Bridge, and the United Arts Club will host a charity fair, an exhibition of paintings and a display of ethnic clothing. The Church of Scientology & Community Center of Dublin will host a holiday concert and fair. Also in Dublin, on the site near The Digital Hub, the Pulse of Freedom festival will be held, with concerts, Ukrainian national cuisine, entertainment for children, auctions and fairs. In Galway, there will be a Live Chain on the Cathedral Bridge, a peaceful procession and an official flag-raising ceremony. The evening will end with the 2nd Ukrainian Festival in Galway, where fairs, workshops and concerts will be held. On Eyre Square, the Ukrainian choir Harmony invites everyone to the celebration through the traditional Kologray. In Cork, creative groups will perform in Fitzgerald Park, there will be a book presentation and speeches by public figures.
Israel. On the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine, the event “Khutir Nezalezhnosti” will be held in Ayarkon Park in Tel Aviv, where the legendary Ukrainian band “Vopli Vidopliasova” will perform, as well as a fair, a picnic with Ukrainian cuisine and other entertainment.
Spain. A celebratory rally organized by the Con Ukraina community will take place in the central square of Madrid, Puerta del Sol.
Italy. In Rome, on the Independence Day of Ukraine, a solemn rally and public procession will be held from Republic Square. The event is organized by the Christian Society of Ukrainians in Italy in cooperation with the Apostolic Exarchate for Ukrainian Catholics of the Byzantine rite.
Canada. In Toronto, the celebration will take place on August 24 at Centennial Park, where a food court, a fair, a children’s play center and an outdoor stage will be organized. In Edmonton, at the Cultural Center of St. Ivan, a charity concert and stage performances will be held. In Winnipeg, Ukrainians will take part in the “Unity Run”, the purpose of which is to raise funds for the 12th Azov Special Forces Brigade. The celebration will continue at the Sunova Center with children’s entertainment, football games, fireworks and live music.
Latvia. On August 24, a six-hour charity concert “United for Ukraine”, organized by the Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia, will take place in Riga, in the Vermansky Garden. During the celebration, more than 20 public organizations created by Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine in Latvia will be presented, where you can taste borscht, take part in the creation of a “friendship bracelet”, make a T-shirt with the name of a friend of Ukraine, create jewelry, familiarize yourself with Ukrainian literature and art, learn control drones on special simulators, weave camouflage nets and see the “Twitter Convoy” machines modified for the Armed Forces. During the event, Ukrainian and Latvian artists will perform, and everyone will be able to make a donation to support the Ukrainian army.
Lithuania. Vilnius will be the center of Ukraine’s Independence Day celebrations, where official greetings, a festive concert, a fair, master classes, children’s entertainment and a tasting of Ukrainian borscht will be held in the Ukrainian Center. Also, on August 24, a rally in support of Ukraine will be held on Cathedral Square in Vilnius.
Moldova. On August 24, an action in support of the Ukrainian people will take place in Chisinau, near the monument to Stefan cel Mare.
Netherlands. The Hague will host the “Run for Ukraine” race and other events, including the “Fragments of Resilience” and “Memory Grids” projects, a photo exhibition, literary corners, places for psychological support, sports entertainment and Ukrainian dishes such as borscht. The organizers expect about 500 participants.
Germany. Berlin will host an exhibition of contemporary Ukrainian artists, performances, a musical program and a panel discussion with the participation of Lilia Usyk, the first German deputy of Ukrainian origin. The weaving of masking nets and a demonstration of solidarity will take place near the Brandenburg Gate, and the day will end with a concert by the Mriya orchestra. A rally and a procession through the city center will be held in Dusseldorf.
UAE In Abu Dhabi, as part of the celebration of the Independence Day of Ukraine, there will be an exhibition of children’s drawings, a joint performance of the national anthem, Ukrainian musical performances, “Colors of Freedom” and “United by Blue and Yellow” master classes.
Poland. On August 24, a celebration with awards, a charity fair, a concert and readings by Ukrainian writers will be held in Warsaw on Castle Square. A liturgy, a unity march, commemoration of those who died for the freedom of Ukraine, and the “Skovoroda Fest” festival will be held in Wroclaw. In Gdańsk, there will be celebrations and prayers at the monument to Volodymyr the Great, as well as a concert and the intercultural family festival Dom / Дим. In Krakow, a liturgy and a march in support of Ukraine will be held, in Lublin there will be an official flag raising and the integration festival “Know Your Neighbor”. A charity concert “With Ukraine in the Heart” will be held in Koszalin, at which Ukrainian and local groups will perform, and the proceeds will be used to help Ukraine.
Portugal. In Lisbon, Ukrainians will gather at Praça Marquês de Pombal to march peacefully to Praça dos Restauradores, where the official part of the celebrations will take place with speeches by Ukrainian activists and Portuguese politicians.
Romania. On August 24, an action of solidarity with Ukraine under the slogan #StandWithUkraine will be held in Bucharest on the square near the Embassy of Ukraine.
USA. In Chicago, the main program of celebrations will take place on the square in front of the “Ukrainian Cultural Center”, where participants will create a live chain along Chicago Avenue, and the evening will end with a charity concert. In New York there will be a charity run in embroidered clothes, in Philadelphia there will be a celebration near City Hall, and in Buffalo there will be a celebration at Niagara Falls. On August 25, a festival with Ukrainian dishes, live music and goods from Ukrainian manufacturers will be held in Trenton.
Turkey. In Ankara, on August 24, a photo exhibition “Beauty of Ukraine” and a concert will be held in the Atakule shopping center, and a photo session for the Ukrainian community will be organized.
Hungary. In Budapest, there will be a race “I honor the soldiers, I run for the Heroes of Ukraine”, master classes for children, an intellectual quiz about Ukraine, performances by the “Novus” choir and pupils of the “Solomiya” studio. The day will end with a march to the Russian Embassy, where the participants will protest against Russian aggression.
Finland. In Helsinki, on August 23, a concert will be held in the center of the Ukrainian community, and all proceeds will go towards the purchase of medical supplies for Ukraine. On August 24, an event will be held on Senate Square, where participants will fill the square with sunflowers – a symbol of the national flower of Ukraine, as well as performances by choirs and greetings from the Finnish government.
Montenegro. In Podgorica, the Embassy of Ukraine together with the Ukrainian Association “Good Cause” will organize the third annual “March for Ukraine”, which will start near the Embassy of Ukraine and end near the Ukrainian Center.
Sweden. On August 24, Stockholm will host a solemn march under the slogan “Independence In My Heart”, a concert and performances on Sergels torg square, as well as a “For Peace in Ukraine” car race to mark the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.
Japan. In the city of Kyoto, in the Concert Hall of the Horikawa School of Music, on August 24, a cultural event will be held with an introduction to Ukrainian history, the performance of Japanese and Ukrainian songs, as well as performances by Ukrainian refugees.
