Any public holiday in wartime can never feel as bright and happy as in previous years. For so many Ukrainians, every day since Feb. 24 offers moments simply to appreciate being alive.
For those who may be unaware, the last Sunday of May marks the Day of Kyiv – a celebration which first took place in 1982 to mark the “1,500th anniversary” of the city prescribed by the Soviet rulers of that time. But regardless of the historical accuracy of this dating, the anniversary caught on.
My first experience of this holiday was in 2018. One day earlier, Kyiv was in a football frenzy, with Liverpool and Real Madrid playing the in final of the Champions League at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium close to the center.
The city was in a vibrant mood that weekend and the match added to the atmosphere. Musicians were playing, bars were teeming with people and everyone was jumping, dancing and having fun. It was year not unlike others as the capital celebrated its birthday.
That year, Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1. Fast forward to May 28, 2022 and the same two teams repeated their battle for the Champions League trophy. One thing turned out the same – Real Madrid snatched victory – but this time the match was played under the warm spring skies of Paris.
Meanwhile in Kyiv, it’s the battles away from the football pitch that play more intensely on everyone’s minds.
Now, my beloved city is officially 1,540 years old. In that time, Kyiv has experienced numerous wars, occupations and terror, not least the bloody struggles to control it between Ukrainian, Polish, Russian (Red and White), and Nazi German forces. Now the threat is from the surgent imperialist Russia headed by Putin.
This year’s celebration was much more subdued for obvious reasons. Several exhibitions and excursions took place in the capital but no concerts and parties. First, it is dangerous; and second, people are not in the mood for fun.
Floral compositions across Kyiv
Nevertheless, various flower displays dedicated to Ukrainians’ spirit during wartime could be seen in different parts of Kyiv.
The first appeared two weeks ago near Livoberezhna metro station. It depicts a well-known Ukrainian postage stamp which shows a Ukrainian soldier gesturing defiantly to a Russian warship calling on him to surrender.
Other displays have since appeared, with some 15,000 flowers planted in the space of two weeks.
Oleksandr Voznyi, head of ecology and natural resources in the Kyiv City State Administration, said: “More and more of the district’s 10 administrations showed interest and we planned a total of 26 installations for the city day. They all have a military theme and are patriotic. We want to raise the fighting spirit in Kyiv, which is how we prepare the city for victory.”
One of the most notable displays near the Polytechnic Institute metro station depicts a tractor pulling a Russian tank on a chain. It replicates a true story from a Ukrainian village where the inhabitants managed to steal a tank from the invaders.
Among other floral installations is one featuring the phrase “Life will win!” (in reference to the Ukrainian fighters of Azovstal); the portrait of the Phantom of Kyiv (the collective image of Ukrainian pilots defending the Ukrainian people); and the plane “Mriya” (meaning “Dream” – the largest aircraft in the world before being bombed by the Russians at the beginning of the full-scale invasion).
Another interesting display can be found in Victory Park on the left bank of Kyiv, which recreates the flags of those countries that have helped Ukraine the most during its time of crisis.
The people of Kyiv have welcomed the initiative, which they feel captures the fighting spirit and acts as a reminder that despite the city being more or less calm today, other parts of the country are still enduring brutal attacks and the torture of innocents.
City authorities predict that the 26 flower displays will bloom at least until mid-summer. During this period, the Kyiv City Administration will hold a competition to choose the most beautiful among them and award prizes.
We await the vote as we await our victory in this terrible and, until recently unimaginable war in the t twenty-first century.
