WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 25: Supporters of Ukraine and members of the Ukrainian community hold a … [+]
Three Years Of Full-Scale War: Commemorative Events And Marches Marking Ukraine’s Battle Against Russia’s Invasion.
As the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, Ukrainians reflect on the resilience and cultural shifts inspired by their ongoing struggle. Commemorations across major cities throughout the world will include theatrical performances, art exhibitions and rallies to unite voices in solidarity with Ukraine and remind the world what remains at stake in the fight for the country’s sovereignty and freedom. We highlight some of them, focusing on North America.
To unite the voices of Ukrainians and their global supporters, the World Congress of Ukrainians has called on them to join a large-scale campaign marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. With one week until the launch of the “Unite for Ukrainian Victory!” initiative, Ukrainian communities worldwide so far have scheduled more than 150 events in more than 120 cities in 27 countries.
In Washington, D.C., Americans and allies will gather at the Lincoln Memorial at 2:00 p.m. EST for a mass rally on Saturday, February 22.
The Ukrainian Institute of America in New York has prepared several events to commemorate the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On Sunday, February 23, a special film screening series about Ukraine will take place, with Porcelain War (an Academy Award nominee and winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary), Soldiers of Song, Intercepted, Bucha among other feature and documentary films. The screenings are free and open to the public.
The following day, the Ukrainian Institute of America will host a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman to launch his new book, The Folly of Realism: How the West Deceived Itself About Russia and Betrayed Ukraine. Monday, February 24 at 6 PM, 2 E 79th St, New York, NY 10075
On February 23, New York’s Ukrainian National Home will host Your Letters, offering an evening of remembrance, honor and solidarity. The performance, directed by Svitlana Kosolapova, features letters from soldiers and their families, many of which never reached their intended recipients. Through music, video tributes and readings, the evening will honor those who have sacrificed their lives while supporting those who continue the fight for Ukraine’s freedom. All proceeds from the event will go towards the Liberty Ukraine Foundation, supporting the purchase of drones for Ukrainian military operations.
On February 24, a benefit reading of Diary of War, based on a documentary podcast of the same name, will take place at the West End Theatre in New York City, shedding light on the human toll of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Directed by Musa Gurnis and produced by Daria Kolomiec, the reading will share the testimonies of Ukrainians whose lives have been drastically altered by the conflict. The evening’s program includes an auction featuring vintage Ukrainian vinyl records and wartime symbols, all aimed at raising funds for United Help Ukraine.
A screening of Bucha, a feature film depicting a remarkable story of bravery amidst the horrors of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, will take place in New York City on February 22 at the First Ukrainian Assembly of God (FUAG), 59 Cooper Square. The screening, organized by the Leonid Foundation in collaboration with the FUAG, will be followed by a panel discussion with Oleksandr Shchur, the film’s producer and screenwriter.
The film explores the courage of Konstantin Gudauskas, a Kazakh seeking asylum in Ukraine, who used his Kazakh passport to cross into the Russian-occupied territories of Bucha, Vorzel and Hostomel and rescue Ukrainians. Using his Kazakh passport, Konstantin evacuated hundreds of civilians to safety while bearing witness to the realities of occupation.
Following its New York screening, Bucha will embark on a multi-city U.S. tour, supported by the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA. Cities on this tour, including Chicago (February 23), Washington (February 24), and San Francisco (February 26), will host this emotionally touching film alongside Q&A sessions and charity auctions.
Ukrainian artist and activist Maria Kulikovska will bring her narrative to New York with her debut exhibition, Once Leda Found an Egg — Blue Like a Hyacinth, running from February 22 to March 5, 2025. Hosted by Mriya Gallery and Rukh Art Hub, the showcase explores Kulikovska’s fearless critique of systemic violence and her commitment to justice and freedom. Born in Crimea and exiled after Russia’s 2014 annexation, Kulikovska channels her personal and national traumas into art that resonates universally.
Central to the collection are casts of the artist’s own body, symbols of survival and defiance, created in response to the destruction of her sculptures during Russia’s seizure of the Izolyatsia art center in the eastern city of Donetsk. These pieces are accompanied by documentation of Kulikovska’s collaborative creations with her daughter and partner, Oleh Vinnichenko, embodying themes of motherhood and perseverance amid the shadows of war.
The exhibition also will feature Lustration/Ablution, a performance in which Kulikovska bathes in a bathtub with soap sculptures, symbolizing the complex connections among trauma, conflict and healing. Mriya Gallery, 101 Reade St, New York, NY 10013
By Danylo Nosov, Alan Sacks
