Ukrainian woman in Norfolk says independence day is about showing 'unity'
Many of those from the country are once again marking their homeland's independence day elsewhere
Last updated 24th Aug 2023
A woman from Ukraine who lives in Norfolk says today is all about coming together and showing unity.
It's as those from Ukraine mark their country's independence day, a year and a half after Russia first invaded the country.
"Russia wants to take us back to the past"
Natalia Scott is from Kyiv - but has been living in Norwich since 2017:
"I was born into the Soviet Union, a closed communist country, with it's authoritarian way. I was 14 years old when Ukraine became independent and it was a score of pride and joy. It was also filled with a big hope that we will build a new country - built on democratic values".
"I think celebrating this independence day is even more important, than before. For the last one and a half years, we have been fighting for our freedom and to honour the choice we made to be independent, back in 1991.
"Today, Russia wants to take us back to the past."
"We will not let anybody take our right to build our own country"
"Celebrating this day is different for me and everybody else from Ukraine. It's not about having fun, it's about having a greater bond with people from Ukraine, while also feeling that we are united - even though many of us are thousands of miles away.
"We have been building this country for the last 30 years. We have made mistakes, had our failures and continue to have lots to work on. But, I believe we are moving in the right direction - and we will not let anybody take our right to build our own country."
What's going on in Norfolk to mark this?
The day's being celebrated at King's Lynn's Tuesday Market Place- from around 5pm. You can find out more here.