One of the most anticipated Ukrainian holidays is rapidly approaching on Aug. 24 — Ukraine’s 28th Independence Day.
And the sheer number of entertaining events happening across Ukraine on its birthday offers an opportunity to enjoy the state holiday to its fullest.
For those who have not yet decided how to spend the long weekend, the Kyiv Post has picked out some of the best options for celebrating Ukraine’s birthday.
Honoring heroes
The upcoming Independence Day will be held in a “new format” for Ukraine, according to the official website of the president.
There will be no traditional military parade in Kyiv’s center, as President Volodymyr Zelensky has decided that the Hr 300 million ($11.8 million) for the event should be given to Ukraine’s soldiers as bonuses.
Independence Day will start with a ceremony to commemorate Ukrainian soldiers and EuroMaidan Revolution protesters killed by the security forces of Ukraine’s fugitive former President Viktor Yanukovych.
It will be held at the monument to the Heavenly Hundred in Kyiv at 9:30 a. m.
The ceremony will start with a moment of silence, followed by 100 tolls of a bell to honor the heroes. There will also be a flower-laying ceremony and the military choir will perform the National Anthem of Ukraine.
According to the presidential website, an award ceremony for Ukrainians who have achieved success in different fields will take place after the commemoration. It will start at 9:50 a. m.
There will also be an entertainment program — music shows and dancing flash mobs will perform at Kyiv’s central Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) and Khreshchatyk Street afterward.
Apart from that, there will be a March of the Defenders of Ukraine, in which Ukrainian war veterans, soldiers and volunteers will take part.
It will start at 11 a. m. at Taras Shevchenko Park in Kyiv. The participants will march to St. Michael’s Cathedral located on 8 Trokhsviatytelska St., passing Bessarabska Square, Khreshchatyk Street and Maidan Nezalezhnosti.
Commemoration Ceremony. 2 Heroiv Nebesnoi Sotni Ln. Aug. 24. 9:30 a. m.
March of the Defenders. Taras Shevchenko Park. Aug. 24. 11 a. m.
People march during the ceremony to commemorate soldiers and EuroMaidan Revolution protesters killed by the security forces of former President Viktor Yanukovych in Kyiv on Aug. 24, 2018. (Volodymyr Petrov)
Sporting events
Kyiv will host a number of sporting events for those who see no reason to skip their morning run even during the holidays.
The traditional Vyshyvanka Run will be held for the fourth time this year. It gives runners an opportunity to combine jogging with traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirts and charity.
This year, the Vyshyvanka Run will be held in 12 Ukrainian cities including Odesa, Sumy, Ivano-Frankivsk and Kyiv. Additionally, Ukrainians who live abroad can also join the race in Washington, Philadelphia, Lisbon, Dubai and New York.
In Kyiv, it will start at 9 a. m. at the Rusanivska Embankment. Participants can choose distances from 100 meters to 10 kilometers, each for a different price.
Another possibility for celebrating Ukraine’s birthday through sports is joining the Pyrohovo Run, which will be held at Kyiv’s outdoor Pyrohovo museum.
Participants can enjoy ancient Ukrainian architecture while running distances from 100 meters up to 8 kilometers. Pyrohovo Run will start at 10 a. m. Prior registration is required for both the Pyrohovo and Vyshyvanka runs.
If you choose the latter, don’t forget to put on your vyshyvanka. The event’s organizers encourage all participants to wear them.
Vyshyvanka Run (Rusanivska Embankment). Aug. 24. 9 a. m. Hr 150–450.
Pyrohovo Run. National Museum of National Architecture and Daily Life in Pyrohovo (Akademika Tronka Street). Aug. 24. 10 a. m. Hr 300–500.
Partying in the capital
To celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day to its fullest, one can also join the parties and festivals happening in the capital on Aug. 24.
Kyiv’s River Station, the capital’s main river port situated on the right bank of the Dnipro River, offers a chance to celebrate Ukraine’s birthday and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Dnipro.
It will host a party featuring local DJs, street food from some of the best Kyiv restaurants and various cooking workshops for attendees. The celebration will start at 11 a. m. on Aug. 24 and last until the early hours of Aug. 25. Entrance is free.
Apart from the River Station, Kyiv’s national exhibition center VDNH invites all to spend the holiday in the meadow located on the venue’s territory. The event will feature live music shows, food courts, various workshops, entertainment for children and more. Entrance is free.
River Station. 3 Poshtova Sq. Aug. 24., 11 a. m. — Aug. 25., 1 a. m. Free
VDNH. 1 Hlushkov Ave. Aug. 24. 12 p. m. — 9 p. m. Free
Ancient traditions
Those aiming to explore ancient Ukrainian traditions can visit the Kyivan Rus theme park, located some 35 kilometers south of Kyiv.
The park’s employees will recreate Ukrainian culture and depict its architecture and customs.
The celebration at Kyivan Rus will feature activities such as theatrical performances, horseback-riding, sword fighting and a number of thematic workshops and parties. Visitors can also enjoy some traditional Ukrainian cuisine and drinks offered at the park.
Park Kyivan Rus (Kopachiv village). Aug. 24–26. 10 a. m. — 10 p. m. Hr 60–200.
Outside Kyiv
Ukraine’s most popular rock band, Okean Elzy, traditionally performs in Kyiv on Independence Day. This year, however, Kyiv citizens will need to travel to the concert.
The band has traded Kyiv’s Olimpiysky Stadium for the city of Dnipro, 500 kilometers to the southeast of Kyiv.
This will be the band’s first performance since its leader, Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, was voted into Ukraine’s parliament with his Voice party in July 21 parliamentary elections.
Okean Elzy will wish Ukraine a happy 28th birthday and perform their top hits at the Dnipro Arena Stadium on Aug. 24. The show will kick off at 8 p. m.
Other than that, those who plan to spend Independence Day in Lviv, a city some 540 kilometers west from Kyiv, can enjoy the annual international folklore festival “Etnovyr,” that will kick off on Aug. 21 and last until Aug. 25.
Folk bands from all around the globe will demonstrate their ethnic culture in Lviv. The festival is free to attend.
Okean Elzy. Dnipro. 7 Khersonska St. Aug. 24. 8 p. m. Hr 250–3,000
“Etnovyr.” Lviv. Museum Square, Market Square. Aug. 21–25. 4 p. m. Free
