For Ukrainians in Kamloops, Independence Day takes on new meaning as war rages on

KAMLOOPS — It’s a day usually filled with celebration, but as the war in Ukraine stretches into the sixth month since the Russian invasion, Ukrainian Independence Day has taken on a much more solemn feel. It’s believed approximately 9,000 Ukrainian soldiers have lost their lives, with thousands more civilians also dead in the attack.

“Six months ago, Russia declared war against us. On February 24, the entire country heard explosions and gunshots….On February 24 we were told, ‘You have no chance.’ On August 24 we say, ‘Happy Independence Day, Ukraine!,” stated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an Independence Day speech.

On August 24, 1991, Ukraine declared sovereignty and independence from the Soviet Union in an overwhelming vote by politicians, later confirmed by a public referendum. On that day, not a single drop of blood was spilled; 31 years later the fight for independence has taken a deadly turn.

“We talk about the miracle — that it happened without bloodshed. That was the description. We were hoping it would remain that way. But, unfortunately it took 30 years to shed that blood,” said Father Andrzej Wasylinko from the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kamloops.

Throughout the war in Ukraine, the Russian military has routinely targeted places of cultural importance for their attacks. It’s those attacks that make this day so important for Michele Huston.

“Ukrainian Independence Day has always been something where we got to take back our culture and our history. And now more than ever that is actually what it being wiped out, our culture and history,” said Huston.

Today in the Ukraine, a war rages on, with Russian attacks and Ukrainian counter-offenses going head to head, while air raid sirens ring out above populated areas. Instead of partying in the streets, residents hiding in bunkers. Instead of playing games, they’re fighting for their lives and their way of life.

“We usually get together and party, we dance and we celebrate the day. We wear our vyshyvanka, our cross-stitch shirts. We actually just celebrate our culture, our history and where we came from,” said Huston.

“We were reminded on the news yesterday that it could be danger, our a special day for Russia to remind Ukraine that independence is very fragile,” added Father Wasylinko.

Wasylinko believes nearly 100 Ukrainians have arrived in Kamloops since the war began with more on the way. Both he and Huston hope that the community will continue to welcome them in with open arms.

“They need help. These people are coming in and this day is a very important day for us,” said Huston. “We are still fighting 30 years later, we are still fighting for our independence. We are still fighting for our history and our culture, to keep our culture alive.”

“We are facing this day in different circumstances, conditions and even in different time zones, but with one goal — preservation of independence and victory of Ukraine! We are united. Happy Independence Day of Ukraine! Glory to Ukraine!” President Zelenskyy.