Rye marked Ukraine’s 34th Independence Day on Sunday, August 24, commemorating the 1991 Ukrainian parliamentary vote that declared independence from the Soviet Union.
This was the fourth Independence Day celebrated during Russia’s invasion and the twelfth since Moscow’s 2014 invasion of Crimea and the Donbas. At least one-third of Ukraine’s modern independence has been lived under war with Russia.
During the jazz festival, there was a short pause at the Rye Buttermarket to allow the mayor of Rye, Cllr Andy Stuart, and the town crier, Paul Goring, to announce the Independence Day and highlight Rye’s long record of offering sanctuary to refugees from aggression.
Emotional event for Rye’s Ukrainians on third anniversary of war
Since March 2022, Rye has maintained a hub to support Ukrainians in the area. Originally, there were around 25 families but now the number has dropped to about a dozen.
Olena, one of the women staying in Rye, organised a stall near St Mary’s Church, Rye, to give away Ukrainian cakes and sweets, which proved popular with the festival visitors.
Later, about twenty Ukrainians visited Grounded café in Lion Street to enjoy tea. Sally Bayly and her team at the café provided a warm welcome. Susan Gedge, from Rother Voluntary Action, attended to represent Rother District.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Dena Smith-Ellis , Kt bruce .