Although public events are banned due to airstrikes, large numbers of people are celebrating Ukraine’s 32nd Independence Day.
In Kyiv, Ukraine’s Independence Day is celebrated in sunny weather.
Traditionally, there would be a military parade and numerous events in the center. Due to the Russian war of aggression, they have all been canceled for security reasons.
Still, the streets are full of people, young and old.
When it comes to dressing, traditional Ukrainian outfits and decorations are preferred. The most important of them is the vyshyvanka, an embroidered shirt or dress.
The word Vyšyvanka refers to traditional embroidery. Colors and patterns have their own symbolic meanings.
– Blue symbolizes water and sky. It is the color of calmness, he says Hanna Kaplinska near Motherland Monument in Kyiv.
Kaplinska has gathered with the work group to celebrate Independence Day. He works in the gardening department of the city of Kyiv.
– For Ukrainians, embroidered outfits (vysyvanka) are important, especially on holidays. Our ancestors already used them, says Kaplinska.
Hanna’s colleague Nadia wears a red dress. Even though the symbols and colors of vysyvanks have come from different regions, he has chosen his own based on emotions. So many do.
– When I arranged this, I felt that this is the right one. It reflects my soul, says Nadia.
Ukraine celebrates its 32nd independence day. The importance of the celebration has grown year by year.
After the so-called Maidan uprising of 2014, Independence Day and traditional clothes increased in popularity. That’s when Russia annexed Crimea and started the war in Eastern Ukraine.
This year, Ukraine is already celebrating its second independence day under the Russian invasion.
Instead of a traditional military parade, destroyed Russian combat vehicles have been brought to the main street of the city center. They remind us of the defensive struggle of Ukraine.
In his Independence Day speech, the president Volodymyr Zelenskyi thanked all Ukrainians for defending independence.
– Today is Independence Day. That’s what we’re all fighting for, the president summed up.