Independence Day of Aug. 24 is a state holiday in Ukraine, and many are using this opportunity to take a long weekend and enjoy it to the fullest. For those who plan to do a bit of traveling on Independence Day, the Kyiv Post features some of the best events in Lviv and Odesa.
Odesa
Koktebel Jazz
Ukraine’s annual Koktebel Jazz Festival has been going on for 15 years. It used to welcome its guests in Koktebel, a town in Crimea, until Russia annexed Ukraine’s peninsula in 2014. Since then, the festival takes place near Odesa, in Chornomorsk. German DJ Shantel, electronic band Asian Dub Foundation, Jay-Jay Johanson, a Swedish singer-songwriter, are on this year’s lineup.
Koktebel Jazz Festival, which starts on the Independence Day of Ukraine, announced that Aug. 24 will be the Day of Ukrainian Music. More details at www.koktebel.info/new.
Koktebel Jazz Festival. Chornomorsk, Odesa Oblast (Chaika Beach), Aug. 24–27. Hr 190–1,290
Patriotic Rally for the Independence Day of Ukraine
Car drivers can join a huge rally devoted to the Independence Day. Auto rally will start on Aug. 24 at 4:30 p. m. on Prymorsky Boulevard and will proceed to Italian Boulevard. Participants are encouraged to attach national flags to their cars.
Patriotic Auto Rally. Near the Duc de Richelieu Statue (7 Prymorsky Blvd.). Aug. 24. 4:30 p. m. Free
Vyshyvanka human chain
Odesa will also be establishing a national record on the Independence Day — locals will try forming the longest line of people wearing vyshyvankas. They will be standing side by side holding their hands. Organizers of the event say the aim is to demonstrate the unity of Ukrainians and their ability to support each other. More details at www.vf.od.ua.
Vyshyvanka Human Chain. Potemkin Stairs, Aug. 24. 1 p. m. — 2:30 p. m. Free
Lviv
Etnovyr (folklore festival)
Annual international folklore festival Etnovyr which will take place on Aug. 24–26 is the beginning of the Independence Day celebration program in Lviv. Bands from Macedonia, Turkey, Estonia, India, Poland and Ukraine will represent their ethnic culture on Museum Square, Market Square and Victoria Gardens shopping mall. The festival will also have an Ethno Fashion block. For more details, go to: www.etnovyr.org.ua/en.
Etnovyr (folklore festival). Museum Square, Market Square and Victoria Gardens shopping mall (226A Kulparkivska St.). Aug. 24–26. 4 p. m. Free
‘Ukrainian Song Project’
The celebration of the 26th year of Ukraine’s Independence will be ending with the final of the TV song contest “Ukrainian Song Project” on Arena Lviv. “Ukraine is waiting, Ukraine demands Ukrainian songs!” is the motto of the music marathon. The finalists of the song contest will perform on Aug. 26 together with Ukrainian pop stars Zlata Ognevich, Antytila, Skryabin, Tartak, etc.
“Ukrainian Song Project.” Arena Lviv (199 Stryiska St.). Aug. 26. 6 p. m. Hr 150–500
Lviv MozArt Festival
Lviv MozArt International Festival was launched to unite Ukrainian and world musicians. To celebrate Ukraine’s independence, it offers eight days of classical music in 12 locations, children’s events, as well as the international forum and exhibition devoted to Franz Xaver Mozart, the youngest son of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who lived in Galicia for over 30 years.
Lviv MozArt Festival. See locations and tickets at www.mozart.lviv.ua/en. Aug. 18–26. Hr 100–500, some events are free
Military Parade
The Independence Day military parade will start at 10 a. m. on Aug. 24 and will proceed along Khreshchatyk Street and Maidan Nezalezhnosti. More than 4,500 uniformed soldiers will participate, including almost 1,000 soldiers who have fought in the war-torn Donbas.
This year Independence Day parade will also include a display of modern weapons developed by Ukrainian designers over the past three years.
Militaries from other countries will also march in Kyiv this time, including British, Estonian, Georgian and Latvian soldiers.
To watch the march, go to Ukraine’s First TV Channel’s website at www.1tv.com.ua.
Military Parade. Khreshchatyk Street, Maidan Nezalezhnosti Square. Aug. 24. 10 a. m.
Vyshyvanka/Pyrohovo Run
Independence Day is an official holiday, but there’s no reason to skip the morning run. Vyshyvanka Run and Pyrohovo Run encourage beginners and professional athletes to wear traditional Ukrainian vyshyvankas and join their races.
Pyrohovo Run will be held in one of the biggest outdoor museums in Europe — Pyrohovo Museum of National Architecture and Daily Life. Runners are offered distances from 100 meters to 8 kilometers.
Vyshyvanka Run is a yearly charity race. It aims to raise money for a military hospital in Kyiv, where Ukrainian soldiers injured in Russia’s war against Ukraine undergo rehabilitation.
This year Vyshyvanka Runs will be also held in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Toronto, Munich and other cities.
Pyrohovo Run. National Museum of National Architecture and Daily Life in Pyrohovo (Akademika Tronka Street). Aug. 24. 9 a. m. Hr 300–500
Vyshyvanka Run. Rusanivska Embankment. Aug. 24. 9 a. m. Hr 150–400
The Biggest Map of Dreams (street festival)
For the Independence Day, Kyiv’s Khreshchatyk Street will turn into a huge Map of Dreams. Those who want to share their dreams can create their own collage that will be put on a joint map. Organizers plan to set a new national record with what is planned to be the biggest Map of Dreams on Aug. 24.
The Biggest Map of Dreams (street festival). Khreshchatyk Street. Aug. 24. 11 a. m. Free
Jazz on the Roof
Jazz fans will have a chance to celebrate Ukraine’s independence with their favorite music. Kyiv’s Bel étage club invites to the ethno jazz night, where Ukrainian traditional motives will be performed in the jazz style.
Jazz on the Roof. Ukrainian Ethno. Bel étage (16A Shota Rustaveli St.). Aug. 24. 8 p. m. Hr 250–350
