Ukraine Independence Day marked at Belfast Mela

Large crowds have gathered to celebrate Mela Day at Botanic Gardens in Belfast, which its organiser says is “more important than ever”.

The event marks the end of the nine day festival which is an annual celebration of global cultures.

Mela Day celebrates cultures from throughout the world through global music, dance, food and art and this year it is also marking Ukraine Independence Day.

It is the 34th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence Day – which celebrates the country’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 – and the Ukrainians in Northern Ireland Community Group are holding a Chain of Unity memorial event at the celebration.

Chief executive of ArtsEkta, the group behind the Belfast Mela festival, Dr Nisha Tandon said today was the “beating heart of the festival”.

“Up to 25 cultures are represented here today. We are in our 19th year and the festival is more important than ever.

“It’s about respecting everyone. Let’s not divide, let’s unite.”

Public figures and politicians such as Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton, SDLP leader Claire Hanna and the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Jayne Brady attended the event.

Ms Tandon and Belfast Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly led the opening procession of Sunday’s event.

Ms Kelly said it was wonderful to witness the energy and excitement that the festival has brought to Belfast over the past nine days.

“It’s really good to be here. It’s fantastic to have it here in its 19th year. It’s amazing bringing communities together.”

Kateryna Zaichyk, from the Ukrainians in Northern Ireland Community Group said the chain is to bring people together and strength.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders held talks with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday to discuss ways to end the war in Ukraine.

The topic of exchange of territory was discussed – and the idea of what Trump called “land swaps” to help end the fighting.

However Ms Zaichyk said she “does not think it’s the solution”.

Anika Todd is originally from Ukraine but has lived in Northern Ireland for 11 years and feels it’s important that Ukraine Independence Day was celebrated at Mela.

“It’s very important to have this today to show our culture especially since it’s happening on the same day as Independence Day.”

Ms Todd also feels some of the peace proposals discussed at the White House won’t work.

“It’s not World War Two, we are not just trading land. How can you just give away land to an aggressor,” she said.

Zelensky has consistently said Ukraine would not hand over the Donbas in exchange for peace. And confidence in Russia to abide by any such arrangement – rather than simply use the annexed land for future attacks – is low.

For that and other reasons, about 75% of Ukrainians object to formally ceding any land to Russia, according to polling by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.