Ukrainian Independence

Every year at the end of August Lamont County hosts a unique event, the Babas & Borshch Ukrainian Festival. Its timing coincides with the celebration of Ukrainian Independence Day, and the festival represents a testimony to and a celebration of Ukrainian heritage on the Alberta prairies.
On 24 August 1991, Ukraine proclaimed its independence from the then collapsing Soviet Union, and began building its new future as a sovereign state. The road to Ukraine’s independence has been long and difficult: it took dozens of years and numerous sacrifices to win it from the occupying totalitarian regimes.
Earlier in the century, Ukraine had proclaimed its independence as early as January 1918, but was soon overrun by the armies of Communist Russia. In June 1941, Ukraine once again attempted to proclaim its independence, but this attempt was crushed by the occupant authorities of Nazi Germany.
As we see nowadays, Ukraine’s struggle for true independence continues. However, Ukrainians are fighting for a just cause and will become victorious with the help from the entire civilized world.