Aug 24

Aug 24 Independence Day

Public Declarations, Protest, Performance, Demonstrations

“Well, I won’t back down, no I won’t back down
You can stand me up at the gates of Hell
But I won’t back down
Gonna stand my ground, won’t be turned around
And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down
Gonna stand my ground and I won’t back down”

— I Won't Back Down, Johnny Cash, from American III: Solitary Man (2000)

Americans celebrate Independence Day every July 4th. In Ukraine, Independence Day falls on August 24, the day in 1991 that Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union. Ukrainian Independence Day has grown in significance as holiday for all Ukrainians, including the Ukrainian diaspora, following the Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine as part of his ill-informed crusade to wipe out the Ukrainian national identity.

Last year, Chicago’s Ukrainian Community commemorated Independence Day with a celebration on Chicago’s River Walk. This year, the community decided to hold the celebration adjacent to the Ukrainian Cultural Center (2247 West Chicago Avenue) in Ukrainian Village because the organizers weren’t sure that the city would have finished removing all the security barriers put in place for the Democratic National Convention.

Although I was exhausted from a week of Democrats and the associated demonstrations in the streets, I was not going to miss the celebration. As is true of all Ukrainian events these days, the war hung heavy in the air, but community members took some solace in Ukraine’s recent incursions into Russian territory, resulting in the capture of over 400 square miles in Russia’s Kursk region. Nothing like kicking some Russian butt.

As usual, the celebration began with the singing of the American National Anthem, which is the community’s way of acknowledging the country in which many are longstanding citizens, as well as thanking President Biden and the U.S. Congress for sending military aid to their ancestral home. Early on, a group of young women marched from the far end of the parking lot to a position in front of the stage. Each held a photo, presumably of someone, possibly a community member, who died fighting the Russians. With them, were a group of Ukrainian American veterans clad in white shirts functioning as an honor guard.

Later, Pavlo Bandriwsky, the Vice President, Government and Community Relations, of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Illinois Division, introduced me to a woman whose brother had been killed during combat early in the war with Russia. I didn’t get all the facts, but he had lived in America for 25 years, and when Ukraine needed his service, he responded by picking up arms. Meeting the woman was certainly a sobering experience, as well as another reminder that freedom is not without cost.

Naturally, there were several speeches during the relatively short program. Most focused on the war effort. During one, Dr. Maria Korkatsch-Groszko read a proclamation from Governor JB Pritzker, who has been a staunch supporter of the community and the Ukrainian war effort.

Then the time came for entertainment, but unfortunately no fireworks. Maybe next year. One woman in a richly maroon dress sang a song that she may have written, if I recall correctly. She had a terrific voice, which is probably why this was not first time I had seen her perform. One of the day’s highlights was the performance by a teenage woman dressed in white and wearing a wreath of blue and yellow flowers. Although diminutive in stature, her voice was deep and powerful, projecting poise and confidence.

Like last year, my favorite act was a group of tweens who did their version of Ukrainian K-pop. With wireless mikes in hand, the eight or nine girls, plus the one savvy boy, not only sang, but brought synchronized dance moves to their game. BTS may be gone, but we will always have Ukraine.

Following all the fun, the community once again engaged in a public display designed to keep Ukraine’s plight front and center. Everyone headed to Chicago Avenue, where what seemed like a thousand people formed a human chain stretching five or six blocks to the east. The signs and flags came out, as did several people holding bullhorns, who marched back and forth in the bus lane, leading those lining the sidewalk in the now familiar chants. “Slava Ukraini”

After demonstration wrapped up, I headed back to the Ukrainian Cultural Center, stopping in the building briefly before heading home. I might have stayed for the evening’s entertainment, but it was a Ukrainian rock band that was sounded excellent during their soundcheck, but who played at a deafening volume—I have aged out of the world of rock concerts.

On my way to the bus, I ran into Lillia Popovych, wearing a white dress and clearly in the final weeks of pregnancy. One of the highlights of the Ukrainian demonstrations has been watching the very cute young children join the adults in singing, marching, chanting, and demonstrating on Ukraine’s behalf. The good news is that another Ukrainian child is on the way. Hopefully, the kid will make his or her debut the day the community is able to celebrate Ukraine’s victory over Vladimir Putin and the Russians.

[I generally don’t take positions regarding the events I cover. I make an exception for Ukrainian and anti-Putin Russian demonstrations. There is only one correct viewpoint.]

[Click on an Image to Enlarge It. The Images Are Not Necessarily in Exact Chronological Order]