It was a beautiful day with sunshine and blue skies for the members of the Ukrainian Community of Bradford (UCB) and their families who attended the independence day of the Ukraine event on Sunday afternoon.
On Aug. 24, 1991, The Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine was adopted by the Ukrainian parliament.
The event was to commemorate their independence as well as pay respects to those fallen soldiers who fought for it.
At 4 p.m. the community group’s founder, Oksana Kobzar welcomed the crowd to the event with a Ukrainian prayer, followed by a song and a moment of silence.
Some members of the community came dressed in traditional Ukrainian attire and dresses featuring brightly coloured embroidery pieces.
Afterwards, Kobzar invited Mayor Rob Keffer to read the proclamation.
Following the proclamation, both the Ukrainian and Canadaian anthems were sung by four young men from UCB.
It was then that the members of council and the president of UCB, Andriy Melnyk, raised the Ukrainian flag in front of the courthouse. Its bright blue and yellow colours flying strongly against the wind. The blue representing peace as well as the sky and the yellow symbolizing prosperity and the wheat fields across the nation.
After the flag raising, a young UCB member by the name of Emily wowed the crowd belting out two Ukrainian songs.
To close off the event, members of the community and council indulged in homemade perogies and cabbage rolls.
To learn more about the Ukrainan Community of Bradford and their events, follow them on Facebook here.
