Photo Courtesy EverythingGP Staff

By Tanner Smith

Communtiy

Grande Prairie celebrates Independence Day of Ukraine

Aug 25, 2022 | 8:19 AM

The 31st Independence Day of Ukraine was August 24, and to raise awareness and show solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the City of Grande Prairie held an Independence day celebration at City Hall.

The Ukraine flag was raised at City Hall and a parade was held throughout City Centre.

Wendy Bosch, Grande Prairie City Councilor and a descendant of Ukraine, says this event did a great job raising awareness of not only what the people of Ukraine are going through, but also how many people of Ukrainian heritage live in the area and are affected by this war.

” We may not be in the country where the devastation is happening but we are together in regards to standing with them united, just from a distance.”

Bosch added, that she hopes people in the area that are affected by this tragedy and people in Ukraine seeing places all over the world celebrate their independence, is a sign of hope and she is also just so proud of all the people in the Grande Prairie area who have been donating everything from money to toys and food.

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” I have always said Grande Prairie was a place I was going to live, it took me a few years to get here, but I meant it, and I meant it because of the people, the people that live here are incredible, they are the people that stand up and say how are we going to help you.”

This independence day did carry a slightly somber tone with it also marking the 6-month mark since Russia invaded Ukraine, but even though it has been some time since the attacks first started support has never hindered.

” I think that at the 6-month point that were not forgetting is incredibly awesome to see because people forget things quick, we have nearly seventy Ukrainians coming to Grande Prairie now and probably another thirty in the coming weeks, so that’s significant,” said Bosch.

She added that she hopes anyone affected by this war saw the celebration, felt solidarity, and believes in celebrating the Day of Independence of Ukraine raises awareness of what is still happening and how people halfway across the world can help.

Photo Courtesy EverythingGP Staff

Photo Courtesy EverythingGP Staff

Photo Courtesy EverythingGP Staff