http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAALojr26iU&sns=em

On 8/24/14 the local Ukrainian Meetup group sponsored an annual picnic celebration at Clement Park in Littleton, a suburb of Denver.  The celebration was to commemorate the 8/24/91 day of independence for the country of Ukraine, and also to celebrate Ukrainian culture and language.  The picnic was especially joyous although tinged with a deep felt sadness about what is happening to their beloved country.  There were very successful donation boxes to help provide bandages to wounded soldiers and for education support for a project started at Donetsk State University with Peace Corps assistance.  An estimated 350 persons were in attendance.

The event was highlighted by folk dancing for adults and children, singing of Ukrainian folksongs, ethnic foods (including shashlik!) and drinks, bandura playing, and booths with Ukrainian goods and clothing.  Colorful vyshyvankas were much in evidence.  A local early music recorder group played a rendition of the Ukrainian National Anthem to celebrate Ukraine’s independence and fervently hope for a peaceful and prosperous future.

слава Україні!

Letters from the USA      

 Paul Brunson, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer-Donetsk        

 August 2014