Ukrainian Voice at the Capitol: How Ukraine's Independence Day Was Celebrated in California's Capital
Under the Californian sun, blue and yellow flags flutter. Next to the Capitol building in Sacramento, Ukrainian songs are heard, people in embroidered shirts hold posters and flags, acquaint themselves with Ukrainian culture, and bow their heads in a joint prayer. Thousands of kilometers from Ukraine, the community gathered not just to celebrate Independence Day — they came to remind the world of a country that still has to fight for its right to exist. On one of the posters, a number that needed no further explanation: 1643 days of full-scale war in Ukraine. However, the Russian-Ukrainian war has been going on much longer. It began back in 2014 — with the occupation of Crimea and fighting in eastern Ukraine. More than twelve years have passed since then.
During this time, an entire generation of Ukrainian children has grown up, born after the start of Russian aggression and never knowing their country without war. For many of them, air raid sirens, shelters, separation from loved ones, and waiting for news from the front have become part of childhood. Some know their father mostly from photographs in military uniform, while others will never hear his voice again.
That is why Independence Day for Ukrainians today is not just a state holiday. It is a day of remembrance, gratitude, and responsibility to those who paid the highest price for freedom.
The event, organized by the Sunflower Society and the Ukrainian American House, brought together representatives of Ukrainian community organizations, radio, credit unions, churches of various denominations, volunteers, Ukrainian families, and American friends of Ukraine.
One of the important parts of the program was honoring Ukrainian defenders. Attendees remembered those who gave the most precious thing for Ukraine's freedom — their lives, and thanked those who continue to defend the state from Russian aggression today.
During the event, attendees were also shown footage of the war in Ukraine — destroyed cities, the consequences of Russian attacks, and the realities in which millions of Ukrainians live today. This served as another reminder to American friends of Ukraine and everyone who came to support the Ukrainian community that the great war continues, taking human lives every day.
Clergy from different Christian denominations together offered a prayer for Ukraine — for its defenders, the wounded, prisoners, the families of the deceased, and the millions of people whose lives have been changed by the war.
A special spiritual moment was the performance of Ukraine's spiritual anthem "God, the Great, the One" by the choir of the Orthodox Church under the direction of conductor Maria Omelchuk. The attendees joined the choir, and the words of the prayer for Ukraine near the California Capitol were sung together:
God, the Great, the One,
Protect Ukraine for us…
From the stage, Ukrainian songs and words of support were heard. The Ukrainian community was greeted by friends of Ukraine, public figures, and a representative of the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco.
An important sign of support was the official recognition at the federal level. U.S. Congressman Kevin Kiley, representative of California's 3rd congressional district in the House of Representatives, awarded the Sunflower Society and Ukrainian American House — Sacramento a Certificate of Congressional Recognition on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence.
In the document, dated August 24, 2026, the organizers were recognized for honoring the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people, as well as for supporting the enduring friendship between Ukraine and the United States.
The need to continue telling the world the truth about Ukraine was emphasized by Olha Noshyn from the Sunflower Society. She noted that events in Ukraine should not be perceived merely as another military conflict, and Ukrainian communities abroad must unite and not allow Ukraine's voice to be lost among other global crises.
An important part of the event was an exhibition of Ukrainian cultural heritage. Tents displayed embroidered shirts, traditional jewelry, pysanky (decorated eggs), ceramics, carved wooden items, woven and embroidered items, dolls in Ukrainian attire, and a bandura.
In the context of a war aimed not only against the Ukrainian state but also against its identity, these items acquire special significance. Embroidered patterns, pysanky, folk music, and traditional art testify to the continuity of culture that Ukrainians continue to preserve and pass on to future generations even far from their homeland.
It is especially symbolic that Ukrainian cultural heritage was presented in Sacramento — the political center of California. Here, the Ukrainian community spoke about their country not only with words: through music, traditional art, embroidered shirts, prayer, and native language.
For many attendees, the blue and yellow flag near the Capitol was not a festive decoration but a part of their personal story. Among the participants were people whose relatives are currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, living under shelling, volunteering, or who will never return from the war.
On this day, the capital of California heard Ukrainian songs, prayers, and the truth about the war. Thousands of kilometers from their homeland, Ukrainians reminded once again: independence is not just a date on the calendar. It is the right of a people to have their own state, language, culture, memory, and future.
The right for which Ukraine continues to pay an extraordinarily high price.
And as long as the Ukrainian flag flutters near the Capitol, as long as Ukrainian prayers are heard and the truth about the war does not fade, the world will hear: Ukraine exists. Ukraine fights. Ukraine has the right to victory and a just peace.
- Ivanna Andreikiv
- Photo: Sunflower Society
