Ukrainians gather outside Belfast City Hall to mark Independence Day
The date falls six months after the start of the conflict with Russia
Last updated 24th Aug 2022
Demonstrations to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day are happening in Northern Ireland and across the UK.
Today’s national holiday marks 31 years since the country broke free from the Soviet Union and this year, the date also falls exactly six months after the start of the conflict with Russia.
Normal celebrations in the country’s capital Kyiv have been banned due to threats of further attacks.
The United States has also warned there was an increased possibility of Russian military strikes and had urged US citizens to leave the country if they can.
However, events are still happening elsewhere to mark the occasion.
In Belfast a gathering will take place outside Belfast’s City Hall from 11am until 6pm.
One of those Ukrainians celebrating Independence Day in NI is Marina Furey, who moved to Lisburn almost 20 years.
Normally Marina travels home to celebrate with her family, however, this year because of the ongoing war she will be in the City Centre to help educate people about her country’s culture.
She said: “The main goal today will be to tell as many people as possible about Ukraine and what is happening there now.
“Because the war is not over. Russian Missiles are killing our children and civilians every day.”
Members of the Ukrainians in Northern Ireland community group have also urged refugees to attend as help and information about important services will be freely available at the stall.
She added: “At the minute you have to celebrate in your head, in your heart, in your thoughts and maybe in a small group within the house within the home.
“But of course, you have to celebrate, you can’t just neglect Independence Day.
“I'm Devastated, angry, because who would have thought that this was still going to be going on? A full massive attack on the whole country.
"Unbelievable, I still can’t believe that it is not over, and it is not finished yet."
Each year Maryna normally flies home to be with her family and celebrate in her hometown however, this year she will spend it with her family in Belfast who’ve now fled the country because of the on-going war.
She added: “This year I can’t believe that I’m in Belfast obviously praying, not just for my town, for my park, for all the towns cities villages not to get hurt and civilians not to get killed."
She said she agrees with the ban on events in the country’s capital and that she’s worried for her country men and woman’s safety
“A little bit terrified and much more worried.
“Horrified, I’m not going to lie, horrified.
“I’m just going to pray that it is not going to happen and that he (Vladimir Putin) just wants everyone to live in fear”.
Marina added that she agrees with the ban on events in the country’s capital because of the threat of more attacks.
She said: "Putin would not miss any opportunity whilst any gathering is going on to send missiles there to cause more death.
“I Totally agree, maybe some people will disagree with me, but for the safety of civilians.
“We’ve already lost a lot of children, innocent children, innocent mothers, innocent people who project our country.
“If you want to take care of people in your country it has to be, it must be banned.
“It’s 100 per cent the right decision for it to be banned.
“Of course, it won’t stop people from celebrating but I’m just hoping people will celebrate with their head and make the right decision.”
Have a look at some of the people who gathered outside the City Hall 🌻
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