SACRAMENTO – Hundreds of people gathered at the California State Capitol on Saturday to celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day.
It is the third year in a row that the country has celebrated the holiday in the shadow of war following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“It makes me a little sad because three years have already passed and my parents and some relatives are in Ukraine, in Kyiv, so it is sad. We are still at war,” said Tariia Symonova, who attended the event with her family.
It is a holiday and at the same time a sign that those present mourn the lives lost in the war.
The event’s organizers, the Sunflower Society and the Ukrainian American House, wanted to demonstrate the resilience of their people.
“We have to do this because we need to boost the morale of people here and in Ukraine,” said Olga Noshyn of the Sunflower Society.
The event showcased Ukrainian culture through music, food, arts and crafts, powerful speeches and even a military arts exhibition.
Those present hope that this serves as a reminder of the importance of American assistance to Ukraine.
“I think it’s very important as Americans to support Ukraine because it affects our security around the world and it’s the right thing to do,” said Kim Dillon of the Sunflower Society.
The event also honored those who fought to defend the country against the ongoing Russian invasion.
“Ukraine has been independent for 33 years and will always remain independent,” said Dmytro Kushneruk, Ukrainian Consul General in San Francisco.
Saturday, Ukraine celebrated a prisoner exchange with Russia which resulted in 115 Ukrainian soldiers finally returning home on this holiday.
“We are defending not only Ukraine, but democracy in Europe and around the world,” Kushneruk said.
Dressed in blue and yellow and waving the Ukrainian flag, participants give hope that Ukraine will be free again on the next Independence Day.
“This war was inevitable, but it must be final. We are here to show that Ukraine is intact. We will fight and we will win,” Noshyn said.
According to the Sunflower Society, Sacramento is home to the third largest Ukrainian population in the United States.
Every 24th of the month, the group organizes a rally in the country’s capital in support of Ukraine – everyone is welcome.
