On October 1, residents of the Bakhmut boarding school—who, due to the war, have been forced to stay at a relocation site in the Poltava region—celebrated several significant and important dates: International Day of Older Persons, Defenders of Ukraine Day, Ukrainian Cossack Day, and the Feast of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God.
Despite being forced to stay far from their native Donetsk region, the residents of the boarding school and the facility’s staff continue to feel the strong support, compassion, and sincere warmth of the local community and creative youth.
Defenders of Ukraine Day is a holiday honoring those thanks to whom we preserve our independence and are able to live our daily lives, work, and raise our children.
On this day, we honor modern-day soldiers and Ukrainian heroes from various eras who carry on millennia-old military traditions. This is an important opportunity to thank the Ukrainian Armed Forces, for this gratitude is not abstract: everyone has family members, friends, and colleagues who, with weapons in hand, are fighting for our country’s freedom.
A particularly special and moving moment for the residents of the residential care facility was their participation in the unveiling of a memorial plaque in honor of Mykola Kozak, a Defender of Ukraine. Those in attendance laid flowers and bowed their heads in respect, honoring the heroism of the soldier who gave his life for a peaceful future for Ukraine.
International Day of Older Persons serves as a reminder of our human duty to be caring, attentive, and compassionate. It is a day of deep respect for the people who laid the foundation for an independent state and who embody the finest labor traditions and spiritual riches of our people.
In honor of the celebration, a rich and heartfelt cultural and artistic program titled “A Festival of Wisdom and Respect” was organized for the residents of the Bakhmut Residential Care Facility.
Artistic groups from the I.P. Kotlyarevsky Gadyach College of Culture and Arts visited the facility. The young artists brought the residents countless positive emotions, joy, and warmth. As a heartfelt memento of the meeting, the college students presented the residential care facility with a painting they had created themselves.
College faculty and students held a special social hour for the residents, featuring an art therapy session that helped the elderly residents unlock their creative potential.
The main attraction and a vibrant photo spot of the festival was the autumn installation made from nature’s bounty, “Pumpkin Magic of Autumn,” where anyone could admire the colors of autumn and take a photo as a keepsake. The festive day concluded with a treat of fragrant Cossack kulesh, cooked over a wood fire right in the great outdoors to the melodies of Ukrainian songs.
Despite all the challenges of relocation and the distance from their native Donetsk region, care, attention, and shared traditions help the residents of the boarding school feel like one big family under the peaceful skies of Poltava region.
Each person, in their own way, is bringing the long-awaited victory closer, and such important moments of unity and mutual support are incredibly valuable on this difficult journey.
Everything will be Ukraine!