A Ukrainian charity based in Manchester gathered for a night of art and culture to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
The charity, Sunflower Manchester, hosted the event at the 53two theatre, which included a photo exhibition, the screening of the documentary People of Steel, and a musical performance by Serhii Fomenko.
Chairwoman Oksana Nepijvoda said: “We try so hard to keep art alive because it keeps us going.
“By the end of the event there were feelings of we will be okay and we will do this.
“And the feedback from the night was amazing.”
The evening united people from all backgrounds, where differences were set aside in favour of honouring a collective struggle.
Trustee to the charity Vera Tymchyshyn said: “The community support and understanding from Manchester has been, beyond comprehensible, and beyond expectations.
“We are very grateful to the UK.”
The screening of People of steel, a film produced by Fomenko, highlighted the plight of soldiers in Mariupol.
Fomenko said: “The main goal of the film is to ensure that those in captivity are eventually released and do not remain without media coverage.”
A charity auction also took place, with all proceeds going towards the treatment of injured Ukrainian soldiers.
Sunflower Manchester was founded in 2022 at the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine and aims to preserve Ukrainian identity and culture through initiatives like Saturday school for Ukrainian children across Manchester.
Tymchyshyn described it as “a little Ukraine, a piece of home” for the children here.
Reflecting on the three-year anniversary of the first invasion from Russia, Tymchyshyn said: “It is not a war – it is Russia vs the West, and Ukraine is simply the playground.”
She also voiced her frustrations over President Trump’s relationship with Russia, she said: “Let him take an inch and he will take a mile.”
Sunflower Manchester is set to continue their work, in celebrating Ukrainian art and culture, whilst also bringing awareness to the challenges facing Ukrainian nationals in the wake of Putin’s invasion, which is ongoing.
Their next event, a screening of The Rising Sun documentary – which won best documentary at the 2024 Manchester film festival – will take place at Manchester Central Library on March 4.
Main image credit: Isobel Forbes
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