Ukrainians in Poland celebrated Ukraine’s Independence Day on Castle Square in Warsaw, where over 30,000 attendees gathered. People who gathered on the square were holding flags of Ukraine and Poland, as well as banners with the word “Dziękuję” (Thank You).
During the celebration, the national anthems of Ukraine and Poland were played, and video messages from President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and President Andrzej Duda of the Republic of Poland were shown.
Among the emotional moments was a minute of silence to honor the heroes who gave their lives for Ukraine’s independence. This minute of silence was accompanied by a video tribute featuring the faces of our heroes. We remember each and every one of them.
The opening part of the event concluded with words of gratitude from the Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland, Vasyl Zvarych.
No matter where life has scattered us, we, Ukrainians, are now more united than ever. In unity lies our strength, and in unity, we will find victory. It’s wonderful that we’re not alone in this fight. Ukraine’s independence symbolizes the independence of the free world. I wholeheartedly want to thank our Polish friends for standing shoulder to shoulder with us and helping us defend our independence, as well as the entire free world.
Vasyl Zvarych, Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland
Event participants unfolded large flags—the Ukrainian and Polish flags—as symbols of support and unity.
An action was also organized to remind the world of Russia’s crimes, particularly those against children. Participants of this action raised placards bearing the names of children who lost their lives due to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. This action aimed to once again draw the world’s attention to Russia’s acts of terrorism. The aggressor must be held accountable for all their crimes!
Welcoming the event participants on stage was our colleague, Vladа Dumenko, who expressed words of gratitude on behalf of us and the entire Ukrainian people to the Poles for their incredible solidarity and support.
Heartfelt thanks to each and everyone who supports Ukrainians in these challenging times. Words alone cannot express our gratitude to you, both the Polish people and Poland as a whole. Thank you for such powerful support for Ukraine and its people, for providing a temporary home when it was needed, for advocating for the prompt delivery of F-16s to Ukraine, and for supporting our NATO membership. Victory over terrorist Russia will be our joint victory.
Vladа Dumenko, ICUV’s Head of Communications
Gratitude is precisely what millions of Ukrainians feel towards the Poles. So the heart of the celebration was the Stand with Ukraine Awards ceremony.
Stand with Ukraine Awards are an expression of special recognition for outstanding Poles and members of the Ukrainian community for their support of Ukraine on its path to victory in the war against the Russian Federation, its integration into the European Union and NATO, and their significant contribution to the development of Polish-Ukrainian relations.
The award’s form holds special symbolism – a piece of destroyed Russian weapon encased in a transparent material, signifying Ukraine and Poland jointly halting evil and not allowing it to proceed.
The laureates of this year’s award became: athlete Iga Swiatek, journalists Slawomir Sierakowski and Karolina Baca-Pogorzelska, Father Mieczyslaw Puzewicz, patrons Omenaa Mensah and Rafal Brzoska, artist Bartek Kielbowicz, and paramedic Damian Duda.
Ukrainians are fighting for us today. This war could be at our doorstep in an instant. Poland has had a difficult history, but we know well that stands against evil – solidarity.
Rafal Brzoska, laureate of the Stand with Ukraine Awards.
The jury that awards the prize includes former Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Andriy Deschytsia, actress Rimma Zyubina, Chief Chaplain of the Territorial Defense Forces Father Serhiy Dmitriyev, activist and founder of the Stand with Ukraine Foundation Natalia Panchenko, and others.
The festive evening concluded with a warm concert, songs, and lively dances. On stage, there were performances by the finalists of the Eurovision Song Contest – the Ukrainian group Go_A and the Polish-Ukrainian group ZAZULA. It was so nice!
We co-organized this incredible celebration, which turned out to be heartwarming, filled with gratitude and love. We extend our sincere thanks to all our partners and co-organizers of this event, such as Euromaidan-Warszawa, the Embassy of Ukraine in Poland, the “Stand with Ukraine” Foundation, and others.
Poland’s support holds immense power for us. We sincerely thank each and everyone for your generous assistance, courage, and boundless humanity. Thank you for supporting the Ukrainian victory. We will win together!
Dziękuję!
Photo Credits: Stas Bordeniuk, Antoni Iwańczuk
