Ukrainian Independence Day event

We were delighted to support the Ukrainian Community Dorset to host their Independence Day celebrations at Redhill Park, Bournemouth, on Saturday 26th August.

At the event, the Ukrainian community marked their country’s independence day with a tree planting ceremony in the park.

Three Viburnum Opulus trees, a national tree in Ukraine, were provided by our charity, and team members attended to help with the planting and support the activities. The weekend event symbolised Ukraine’s growing roots across Bournemouth and the rest of Dorset.

Since the Russian invasion, more than 1,000 refugees are thought to have settled in Dorset under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

The gathering at the park was a celebration of Ukrainian culture, music, food and art. Ukrainians travelled from across Dorset to join in the celebrations.

Coordinator for Weymouth Dorset Ukrainian Community, Maryna Dovbysh, said it is ‘very important to gather together’ to mark the occasion. “For our kids, it is very important to see our culture, our language, our songs and symbols that are important for us,” she said. “It’s quite hard to be abroad because we never planned to be refugees, but we try to do our best.”

Also attending were Christchurch mayor Cllr Vivienne Charett, Poole deputy mayor Cllr Tony Trent, Bournemouth deputy mayor Cllr George Farquhar and Weymouth mayor Cllr Kate Wheller.

Chair of BCP Council, Cllr Lesley Dedman, said she was ‘really glad’ to be representing the authority.

The representatives shared bread in a Ukrainian welcoming tradition before they helped plant three trees in the park, symbols of Ukraine’s growing roots in the area.

Published August 2023

Information taken from the Bournemouth Echo.