Local Ukrainians Celebrate Independence With Homeland on Mind

As the war in Ukraine continues, there are new warnings about gun battles near Europe’s largest nuclear plant as Ukrainians celebrate their 31st anniversary of independence.

Here at home, the Ukrainian community of New England came together in one of Boston's neighborhoods Sunday to continue those celebrations. Children playing, adults socializing, and everyone celebrating at the Catholic Parish Ukrainian Church in Jamaica Plain.

It’s a stark contrast to images of war-torn Ukraine, which by now has endured six months of bloodshed stemming from the Russian invasion.

For Alla Pryyma, it’s been bittersweet celebrating the 31 years since Ukraine’s independence. It’s hard to be joyous when she constantly worries about her grandparents who are in Ukraine.

“The war in Ukraine is very hard for people there but it’s also a huge psychological stress on everyone else as well,” she said. “So it’s very good to be here with everyone and be able to kind of see other people who are in the same position and supporting each other.”

By sharing their customs and traditions with other communities, Ukrainians try to build on that support, especially as their country continues to face challenges at home.

On Thursday, Europe’s largest nuclear plant was briefly cut off from Ukraine’s power grid as gunfights between Ukraine and Russian forces continue in the southeast.

For Vladimir Foygelman, a Jewish Ukrainian who lived through the Soviet years, it’s a continued reminder of the cost of freedom.

“We really understood what is freedom and how to be independent. It doesn’t mean you can do everything for free, it is actually to understand that you are responsible for your independence,” he said.

While her countrymen fight in Europe, Zhanna Samaruk is doing what she can in the US to celebrate their valor.

“We want to show everybody that we remember who we are and we want to be together in days like this,” she said.