ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – As it nears three years since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, local organizations in support of Ukraine came together Saturday to celebrate Ukrainian culture and the current fight in the war. The festival also raised funds that will go directly to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
The festival was hosted by the Capital District branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) at the Polish Community Center in Albany.
The festival celebrated Ukrainian culture and heritage, showcasing a plethora of traditional foods, crafts, and artists. The event also featured performances by folk dancers, singers, and bands, including the Ukrainian orchestra Volya and the Syzokryli Dance Ensemble. Festivities ran from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a dance with live music from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Co-founder of Liberty Ukraine, Dmytro Tobchiy, was one of many people explaining their efforts to those at the event. The organization is also one of many based in New York at the festival that has a direct role in aiding Ukraine in the war.
“So, we are glad we can participate in this Ukrainian festival and be apart of this community,” Tobchiy said. “That is how we spread the word about our projects and our initiatives and talk about what is actually going on in Ukraine right now.”
The Foundation for the International Legion was another organization at the festival that supports those who are actively serving in the war. Malcolm Nance was a representative of the organization at the event.
“The purpose of this organization is to make awareness that there are soldiers from 52 nations, including hundreds of Americans, who are fighting as a party of the Ukrainian army forces in the international legion battalions,” Nance said.
Revived Soldiers Ukraine, which is a U.S. charity that provides medical aid to thousands of wounded Ukrainian soldiers, in addition to delivering medical supplies, equipment, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, was at the event along with three soldiers who are in the program who shared their stories with those at the festival. Representatives from the charity said that the soldiers came to the U.S. to get medical help as well as prosthesis as they were wounded in the war.
“In June, my company attacked the Russian position,” said Mykola Melnyk, Senior Lt., Commander of 4th Company of 47th Brigade. “We took [the] Russian position, and after that we defended, and Russia came to attack our position, and my right leg [got] destroyed [by] machine gun tanks.”
Several organizations were at the event, including: 518Ukrainians.com, Revived Soldiers Ukraine, Liberty Ukraine, BlueSky Ukraine, and Medical Relief Ukraine. According to organizers, direct donations to www.518Ukrainians.com can be made through their website.
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