Boston celebrates Ukraine’s Independence Day with mixed feelings as war with Russia presses on

Boston’s Ukrainian group joined with metropolis officers on Wednesday to boost their flag and rejoice Ukrainian Independence Day.

A crowd of about 150 individuals donning blue and yellow gathered at Metropolis Corridor Plaza to recite prayers and be a part of collectively in celebration of the day when Ukraine’s parliament vowed to separate from the previous Soviet Union in 1991. However to some, the vacation felt bittersweet below the shadow of Russia’s invasion and the continuing conflict.

“We’re right here to commemorate each the Ukrainian group in its contributions to Boston, and in addition to recollect all of those that have sacrificed and fought for freedom — and particularly on this second in Ukraine on the entrance traces,” mentioned Vsevolod Petriv, president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, who led the celebration.

The conflict was very a lot on the minds of those that attended the occasion.

Nick Zozula, president of the Ukrainian American Youth Affiliation of Boston, is a second era Ukrainian American who mentioned his grandparents fled Russian aggression within the Forties and Fifties.

“I feel that is our job as a diaspora — as Ukrainian People and Ukrainian immigrants — to proceed to maintain the conflict in Ukraine on everybody’s minds right here,” he mentioned.

Ipswich resident Oleksy Svitelskiy immigrated to america from Ukraine in 1996. He mentioned he had blended emotions in regards to the celebration.

“After all conflict is placing its stamp on every little thing we’re doing and our households again in Ukraine,” he mentioned. “We’ve to all the time take into consideration them, if they’re nonetheless alive.”

Mayor Michelle Wu, together with Metropolis Councilors Ed Flynn, Michael Flaherty and Erin Murphy, filed a proclamation recognizing the day and spoke on the celebration.

Wu mentioned Ukrainians have been “combating, struggling and giving up their lives” to guard their freedom. She mentioned as soon as the conflict started, the Ukrainian group in Boston sprang into motion with occasions, fundraising efforts and protests.

“Make no mistake, this combat is not only Ukraine’s, it’s all of ours. It belongs to each certainly one of us right here right now,” Wu mentioned. She later added, “When this combat is over, when Ukraine has received, we will probably be there as properly to assist the individuals of Ukraine of their efforts to get well and rebuild.”