Seattle event to mark 35 years of Ukraine’s independence

The Ukrainian Association of Washington State will host a free day-long celebration at Seattle Center on Aug. 29 featuring music, food, culture and fundraising for humanitarian aid. The event comes as Ukraine faces intensified Russian attacks and as organizers highlight continued U.S. support for Ukraine.

Why it matters: - The Ukrainian Association of Washington State is using the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence to rally public support in Seattle and spotlight the war’s human cost. - The event also ties cultural celebration to humanitarian fundraising for Ukrainians still facing Russian attacks. - The gathering is free and open to the public at Seattle Center, making it a visible local show of solidarity.

What happened: - The Ukrainian Association of Washington State will host the 35th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence on Aug. 29, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. PT. - The event will take place at the Mural Amphitheater, steps from the Space Needle at Seattle Center in Seattle. - The celebration will include live music and dance, Ukrainian food and drinks, kids’ workshops and games, Ukrainian crafts, and opportunities to donate to humanitarian initiatives. - Eurovision medalist alyona alyona is scheduled as a special guest performer. - The performer was part of the duo that earned Ukraine third place at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.

The details: - Organizers say the event will open with remarks from organizers, spiritual and community leaders, elected officials and other honored guests. - The celebration is meant to honor Ukrainian culture, the resilience of the Ukrainian people and continued American support for Ukraine. - Event admission is free. - Media are welcome to attend, and interviews with organizers, Ukrainian community members and speakers will be available. - The event website is the official event page. - UAWS says its broader mission is to preserve and promote Ukrainian culture for more than 100,000 residents of Washington and the Northwest through cultural events, educational programs and U.S.–Ukraine cooperation. - Since 2014, UAWS has expanded into humanitarian aid and advocacy in Olympia and Washington, D.C., and says it has delivered tens of millions of dollars in medical supplies and refugee support, including 30 tons of medical equipment in the first month of the full-scale invasion.

Between the lines: - The timing is meant to frame Ukraine’s independence celebration against the backdrop of Russia’s full-scale war and the scale of civilian suffering. - UAWS president Liliya Kovalenko said Russia’s war is a colonial campaign aimed at crushing a free people and deliberately terrorizing civilians. - Kovalenko also linked Ukraine’s current fight to earlier phases of the conflict, including the 2014 invasion and occupation of Crimea and eastern Ukraine. - The message to Washington residents is clear: local cultural participation is being presented as a form of practical support for Ukraine’s survival. - The event also leans on diaspora identity, with organizers emphasizing refugees and immigrants who continue to support Ukraine from abroad.

What’s next: - UAWS plans to use the event to highlight ongoing humanitarian efforts, including “Bring Light to Ukraine” and “Help Heroes Walk Again.” - Under “Bring Light to Ukraine,” UAWS says it has partnered with New Use Energy Inc. to provide generators for hospitals and communities in Ukraine. - Paul Shmotolokha, CEO of New Use Energy Inc., said the company has worked with UAWS, Rotary clubs, NGOs and individuals for almost five years to provide life-saving power to hospitals and communities in Ukraine. - Through “Help Heroes Walk Again,” UAWS is working with Ukraine’s National Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology and the MirKo Foundation to provide custom endoprosthetics for veterans who lost limbs. - The effort is intended to improve mobility, independence and, in some cases, help veterans return to active duty.

The bottom line: - Seattle’s Aug. 29 celebration will be more than a cultural festival. Organizers are turning Ukraine’s independence day into a public call for solidarity, aid and sustained attention to the war.