As war continues, Birmingham to hold celebration of Ukrainian independence

Jewish advocacy group among those participating in the Aug. 16 event

By Lee J. Green

To mark Ukrainian Independence Day, the annual Ukrainian Culture Festival will be a celebration of music, folk dances and traditional cuisine on Aug. 16 at the Haven event space in Birmingham.

“We invite everyone to a vibrant cultural celebration honoring Ukraine’s commitment to freedom, democracy and community resilience,” according to Alabama United Hearts for Ukraine, a non-profit organization planning the event, which will be held from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Jewish Relief Network Ukraine and Southern Jewish Life are among the partners for the event.

The festival is free, with cuisine, desserts and unique, handcrafted souvenirs available for purchase. There will also be a charitable food sale benefiting humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

“The festival is a space for cultural exchange, community support and the preservation of Ukrainian heritage. It’s a celebration of friendship and solidarity between our nations,” added Natiliya Russo, one of the event organizers.

Alabama United Hearts for Ukraine, founded two years ago by Ukrainians in Alabama, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit focused on refugee support, cultural outreach and community engagement.

Birmingham has a sister city relationship with Vinnytsia, Ukraine. In 2017, when the JCC Maccabi Games were held in Birmingham, a delegation of Jewish teens from Vinnytsia were part of the Birmingham delegation.

On July 16, Russia launched a major attack on Vinnytsia’s infrastructure.

JRNU is the largest boots on the ground Jewish humanitarian aid organization in Ukraine, providing direct aid with very little overhead. Its network of leaders, staff and volunteers in Ukraine, backed by supporters around the world, provide food, medicine, housing, social services, medical care and after-school programs for children.

Prior to the war, JRNU focused its efforts on education, social services and religious programs. In mid-February 2022, it pivoted to become a humanitarian rescue and aid organization.

They partner with leading Jewish organizations including the Jewish Federations of North America and other humanitarian aid organizations, including Americares and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.

The Alabama group said JRNU’s “commitment to humanitarian aid and long-term recovery in Ukraine reflects shared values of compassion and resilience.”

For more information about the Ukrainian Cultural Festival , go to www.auhu.org. To learn more about JRNU and supporting its efforts, go to www.jrnu.org.