Ukrainians gather to celebrate Independence Day but it's bittersweet amid war with Russia
CBC
Ukrainians in Toronto gathered to celebrate their country's Independence Day on Wednesday, but the occasion was bittersweet because it also marked sixth months since the Russians invaded.
For Tetyana Barylko, who owns the Barrel House Korchma restaurant with her family, Independence Day was special this year due to the war with Russia. She said Ukraine is clearly continuing to fight for its existence.
"I feel like this year it means something, especially with what's going on right now," said Barylko, whose Etobicoke eatery serves traditional Ukrainian dishes.
"It's good to see that the world is seeing Ukraine for what it is, not for what Russia told the world it was."
Aug 24, a national holiday in Ukraine, is the 31st anniversary of the country's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Barylko, wearing a dress embroidered with traditional Ukrainian designs, said the restaurant was likely to be packed on Wednesday evening as people celebrated.
"We're getting slammed with reservations. I feel like every call is either a reservation or asking if there is room."
But she acknowledged that it was difficult to celebrate under the current sombre circumstances.
"We just want peace. We just want to live our own lives as Ukrainians. We don't want Russia on our land. What did we do to deserve all these casualties?" she said.
At the restaurant on Wednesday night, Barylko said people will raise a glass to the people back home who are fighting for their country. The restaurant has been collecting donations to buy bullet-proof vests, medical supplies and two drones for Ukrainian soldiers.
"That's all we want, independence, just freedom to live our own lives, to be able to dance freely to our own Ukrainian music. That's all we want."
Oleksandra Sheludko, a Ukrainian woman who has been in Canada since January, agrees, saying people her age were born in a free Ukraine. Sheludko is president of the Ukrainian students' club at Humber College.
"We have this spirit of independence in us. We want to fight for this independence and make sure our children have the same independence when they are living in the country," she said.
"If Ukraine loses its independence, then we lose it as well. I couldn't imagine me not having a Ukrainian passport and not being able to say I'm Ukrainian. This country exists. I don't want to say I'm part of Russia."
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