The West Country celebrates Ukrainian Independence Day
Events are happening across our part of the world - bringing people together to celebrate the annual day of independence for the war-torn country
Across the West Country, people will be coming together to celebrate the Ukrainian Independence Day.
Celebrations happen every year, on August 23, following the 1991 Declaration of Independence, making it the main state holiday of the modern country.
Last year's Independence Day marked six months since Russia's invasion, with celebrations held around the world in solidarity with the war-torn country.
Since the invasion, councils have been welcoming in refugees, who have since temporarily made our part of the world their home - as their country battles with war.
That includes local authorities in our part of the world, with Homes for Ukraine schemes encouraging locals to consider offering refugees a space in their homes for at least six months.
You can find out more about how people can support a refugee from Ukraine on the Bristol, South Gloucestershire, B&NES and Somerset Council websites.
Following a number of events last year, 2023 is no different, with people across the West Country coming together to celebrate Ukrainian people and culture.
However, as one member of the Ukrainian community told us, they hope that this year is the last they have to spend outside of the country they love.
Vika Smyrnova, the co-odinator at Somerset Supports Ukraine, is from Kyiv but now lives in Frome, after escaping the war back in May 2022.
She said: "We all feel hopeful for victory, and we feel some pain, but we will be together, and we will be supporting each other this Independence Day.
"It's a weird feeling. I think all people know the feeling when you go to watch a scary movie - you sit down, knowing when it will finish. Now, though, because of the war, it's like a scary movie - but you don't know when it will end.
"Usually, Independence Day is funny, there will be loads of people, there will be will events and games for everyone... it's like a birthday!
"Now, though, it means more then ever to be celebrating it.
"It's very important to be independent, as a Ukrainian. I would like to wish for my next Independence Day to be in Ukraine. I hope it would be a free country - it's like any birthday, when you have to blow candles on top of a cake with a wish. That's my wish."
Marking Independence Day across the West Country
Across Bristol, Bath, Somerset - and the rest of the country - communities will be coming together to celebrate today the main state holiday of Ukraine.
In South Gloucestershire, as part of their 'commitment' to the people of Ukraine, and to mark their solidarity, the local authority are planning a number of events:
- August 24 - a formal raising of the Ukrainian flag at Badminton Road Council office in Yate at 11.30am, along with a minute's silence and a choir of Ukrainian guests who will sing the country's national anthem
- August 24 - a reception at Badminton Road office to thank all staff who have supported those arriving under the Homes for Ukraine programme, and other resettlement schemes
- August 26 - Yate Town Council and their partners will be hosting a community celebration of Ukraine's Independence Day at the YMCA and Parish Hall
Alongside these events, South Gloucestershire Council are asking local authority staff and visitors to make donations of dried food at Badminton Road, which will be taken to Ukraine by their volunteers.
Wiltshire Council will also be marking Ukrainian Independence Day by urging more people to come forward to help house more refugees in the county.
Since the start of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, Wiltshire has welcomed more than 1,500 guests - and the local authority say they have been one of the top authorities in England to have taken in refugees from the war.
The current number of registered households stands at 708, with a current number of 264 families (526 guests) in Wiltshire who are still in active sponsorship, and a further 206 families who have now moved into privately rented accommodation.
To encourage more people to register for the Homes for Ukraine scheme and provide accommodation for Ukrainians who are already in Wiltshire, the council will be offering a one-off £200 payment, which would be made to anyone who refers a new host into the scheme that can commit to hosting Ukrainians for a minimum of six months and is successfully matched with a guest.
You can find out more here.
People will also be coming together in Frome to mark Ukrainian Independence Day, by raising the national flag outside the Memorial Theatre.
At the Town Hall, there will also be an exhibition being put on, thanks to Iryna Ladyzhenska, the Social Facilitator of Frome Town Council's Welcome Hub.
The exhibition includes stunning examples of embroidery and artwork alongside a hand-crafted flag members of the Ukrainian community created earlier in the year.
Iryna said: “Following a referendum, the Act of Declaration of Independence was made in Ukraine on 24th August 1991. Now Ukraine is fighting for its freedom and values such as human rights, democracy and rule of law. It is an existential war.
"I agree with the words written by Vasyl Symonenko, one of the best Ukrainian poets: “My nation is! My nation always will be! No one will efface my nation!” And we are grateful to Great Britain for supporting us in our fight for freedom.
"The exhibition shows a snapshot of Ukrainian culture which I wanted to share with the people of Frome.”
The Frome Welcome Hub supports all displaced people who are currently residing in Frome.
Funded by Christian Help and Action for Refugees in Somerset (CHARIS) the hub provides wrap around resettlement services in Somerset.
Cllr Sara Butler added: “I’m excited to see the exhibition come to the Town Hall, and it’s a timely reminder to recognise all the important work the Frome Welcome Hub carries out.
"It’s open to anyone who is displaced, no matter of their country of origin, all are welcome, and the dedicated staff are on hand to support all displaced people in Frome and the surrounding area.”
The Welcome Hub is open weekly on a Tuesday between 10am-3pm at Frome Town Hall. You can read more about the Welcome Hub here.
You can find out about the UK Government's Homes for Ukraine scheme - and how to apply - on their website.
Read more: EXCLUSIVE: Ukrainian Ambassador praises West Country help one year into Russia war