Suffolk Ukrainians mark Independence Day with hope and reflection
Today marks 34 years since the declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Ukrainians in Suffolk are preparing to mark their country’s 34th Independence Day with a community event in Ipswich.
The celebration, hosted at The Hold on Ipswich Waterfront, is being organised by Suffolk Refugee Support. It follows last year’s first-ever Independence Day gathering in the town.
Маргарита Фадєєва (Rita Fadieva), Ukraine programme coordinator at Suffolk Refugee Support, said the day is about more than just marking the date.
“This is the second year we are celebrating Ukraine Independence Day in Ipswich in The Hold. And this year it's going to be the 34th Independence Day of Ukraine, which is not a lot, but it means a lot to us, as an image of our country and for our identity. We are happy to have this opportunity to bring Ukrainians of Suffolk together.”
She said the event is a rare chance for people scattered across the county, from Ipswich to Bury St Edmunds, Lowestoft and small villages, to come together.
“Because life could be full of struggles sometimes, it requires a special date for people to get together and to share some time. There’s no better opportunity than an Independence Day for this,” she added.
The celebrations also carry extra meaning because of the ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its third year. Rita said the conflict is always in the minds of those gathering here in Suffolk.
"All of us have high hopes and look forward for a just peace... it could be a little bit difficult for people to look into the future because, I remember in the beginning of the full-scale invasion, it was so hard to wrap your head around. How could it possibly be happening?. It can't be long. It should stop. Like maybe three days, maybe in a week, maybe two weeks at least, maybe 3 weeks...
"and now it's three years.
"And I think all of us became a little more careful in our judgments about the future because we were learning to live with lots of uncertainty."
Despite that, she said many in the community want to use the day as a way to show strength and solidarity.
“We are really happy for our fellow Ukrainians and also for our clients at Suffolk Refugee Support that people are so resilient and so willing to share and to make an impact. It’s about showing that even though the war continues, Ukrainians are still creating, still giving something back to their local communities here in England.”
On Sunday, visitors will see performances, crafts and stalls showcasing Ukrainian culture and talent.
The celebration runs from 12pm to 3pm on Sunday at The Hold in Ipswich, and is open to all.
Background
Ukraine marks its Independence Day every year on 24 August, commemorating its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. This year’s anniversary comes against the backdrop of Russia’s full-scale invasion, giving the occasion extra poignancy for Ukrainians living abroad.