Ukrainian Independence Day

Newcastle City Council wanted to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine on this special day – the second Independence Day since Russia invaded the country on 24 February 2022.

The Lord Mayor of Newcastle raised the flag, a lone singer sang the Ukrainian national anthem and a choir of 12 children aged 7 to15 sang the Ukrainian song Hey Hey Rise Up! before members of the Ukrainian community were invited in for a reception in the Civic Centre.

Later today the Ukrainian community will be invited to the Tyneside Cinema to watch a screening of the Ukrainian film Mavka courtesy of Unison. As darkness descends the Civic Centre will be lit up in the Ukrainian national colours of blue and yellow.

Cllr Veronica Dunn, the Lord Mayor, said: “The United Kingdom and virtually the whole world stands united in solidarity with the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom.

“Our country’s support for Ukraine will not waver and the people of Ukraine will continue to receive that at a national and local level here in Newcastle.

“About 400 have settled in Newcastle since the war began and families and individuals have thrown open their homes to make them feel welcome.

“As a City of Sanctuary, we are proud of that, and I would like to personally thank all those who have stepped up to help in such a kind and humane way.”

Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Kemp, said: “Ukrainian Independence Day is a day to mark the strength, resilience, and identity of the Ukrainian people. That’s why we are sharing the sunflower, Ukraine’s national flower.

“As Ukraine fights for its independence it is important that we do not let the war slip from our minds. The battle still rages today, and people are still getting killed on a daily basis. Let’s remember that and continue to support this courageous nation.”

It is 32 years since Ukraine first declared Independence from the Soviet Union which began when the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine (Ukrainian parliament) proclaimed that Ukraine would no longer follow the laws of the USSR.

Ukraine made a Declaration of Independence from the Soviet Union on August 24 1991, at a time when the Soviet empire was beginning to collapse.

A referendum was held later that year in which 92% voted in favour of independence.

In 1992 August 24 became Ukraine’s Independence Day and the famous yellow and blue flag was adopted – the blue representing the sky and the yellow representing fields of wheat.

Ukraine is a democracy with a president and a multi-party system.