Vyshyvanka Day Rally
Vyshyvanka (Ukrainian embroidered clothing) has been an important part of Ukrainian culture for centuries, and Vyshyvanky Day is an opportunity to proudly wear our vyshyvanka and celebrate our rich heritage. On May 20, 2023, hundreds of Ukrainians and Ukrainian Canadians put on their favourite vyshyvanka shirt, blouse, or dress, and joined us at the Vancouver Art Gallery for a community rally and march.
Rally: “The War Is Not Over”
"Ukraine is not the first land to face destruction at the hands of the russian Empire, but it will be the last. If you want the war to be over faster, give Ukrainians all the weapons they need. And get it to them as fast as you possibly can.”
–Adrian Petriw, February 26, 2023
On February 26, 2023, an immense and passionate crowd gathered at Jack Poole Plaza in Vancouver to mark the one-year anniversary of russia’s invasion. The turnout was impressive and enthusiastic, despite the freezing temperatures, and the group was made up of not only Ukrainians (including many that were displaced by the war), but Lithuanians, Latvians, Estonians, Poles, Iranians, Taiwanese, and Georgians, to name but a few of the communities represented. The event was a powerful show of unity and continued support for Ukraine in its struggle against tyranny.
Following speeches from politicians, community allies, and activists (including UCAG’s founder Olga Prodan and co-founder Adrian Petriw), UCAG led a march through the downtown core bearing a banner that carried the message “THE WAR IS NOT OVER. UKRAINE IS STILL FIGHTING FOR ITS FREEDOM”.
UCAG will continue to strive to keep this message at the forefront of Canadian hearts and minds as Ukraine fights on.
Emergency rally: #russiaisaterroriststate
On October 10, 2022, russia reminded the world that #russiaisaterroriststate by hitting the historical center of Kyiv and other major cities with 80 missiles in just five hours.
Within thirty minutes, UCAG organized an emergency rally in Vancouver, making the city the first in Canada to show its support for Ukraine after russia’s devastating attack.
Says Olga Prodan: “We raised our voices with a strong message that #russiaisaterroriststate, and within a few days, PACE followed suit and recognized russia as a terrorist regime. We continue to write letters to members of the Federal Government demanding they increase support to Ukraine by sending long-range weapons, air defence systems, and aircraft, and, most importantly, by recognizing russia as a terrorist state. Let’s use our votes to stand by Ukraine!”