Canterbury Celebrates Ukrainian Independence Day: 33 Years of Freedom, 30 Months of Resilience

On Saturday, August 24th, the city of Canterbury was adorned in blue and yellow, standing strong despite the grey clouds and rain. It was a day when Canterbury’s heart beat in unison with Ukraine. 💙💛

The celebration began at the iconic Marlowe Theatre. In the English rain, reminiscent of tears for fallen heroes, Dr. Denys Nizalov, founder of Canterbury for Ukraine, delivered a heartfelt speech that resonated with everyone in attendance:

“Today, we stand not just as Ukrainians or Britons, but as defenders of shared values – freedom, democracy, and human dignity.”

The Lord Mayor of Canterbury added her warm words: “Canterbury has a long tradition of hospitality… Today, we honour Ukrainian culture and resilience. We commemorate the independence of 1991. Two years ago, the Ukrainian community became a positive addition to Canterbury’s life…”

A poignant minute of silence followed, honouring those who gave their lives for freedom. The silence was then broken by the powerful anthem of Ukraine, sung from the hearts of all present.

The day continued as a river of blue and yellow flags and balloons flowed through the city streets. Ukrainian songs blended with the sounds of the city, creating a beautiful symphony of unity.

At St. Peter’s Church, Ukraine’s rich history came alive during a discussion titled “350 Years of Struggle for Ukrainian Independence.” Ukrainian writer Nina Kuryata, local presenter Chris Deacy, and a video appearance by writer Eugenia Kuznetsova took participants on a journey through centuries of perseverance and hope.

And then there was the concert!

Lyubov Klyuchuk from Kyiv captivated the audience with her acapella renditions of “The Cuckoo Flew” and “Mother’s Shirt.”

The debut performance by the Ukrainian girl group “CherryDoze” had everyone singing along.

Ukrainian Archbishop Serhii Stelmakh brought a sense of spiritual depth with his performance.

Choreographer Kateryna Levanets lifted the entire hall to their feet with an energetic “Kozachok” dance.

The women’s choir, led by Joanna Chapman and accompanied by David Chapman, was the true gem of the evening.

The day of freedom concluded with warm conversations and delicious Ukrainian cuisine. Guests enjoyed specialties such as cheese embroidery, waffles, and apple strudel.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us on this special day. Your support fuels our strength to continue the fight for a brighter future for Ukraine.

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Canterbury! 🇺🇦🇬🇧