In Poltava, to mark the 455th anniversary of Bakhmut, a celebration was held for the children of Bakhmut and their families, filled with familiar symbols, stories, and memories of home.
The event took place as part of the national project “Side by Side: United Communities” thanks to the collaboration between the Bakhmut and Poltava communities.
One of the first activities was the creation of the symbolic map “Flourishing Bakhmut.” Children and adults wrote their wishes for their hometown on paper roses.
A special moment was the “Crystals of Our Strength” ritual. A transparent vase was filled with layers of colored salt, each of which evoked memories of the Cossack past, the nature of the Bakhmut region, the Bakhmutka River, and the salt mines. Together, they formed a composition—a symbol of a united community.
Knowledge was tested in the “True or False?” quiz. The creative activities also had a distinctly Bakhmut flavor: participants made paper roses, bookmarks featuring the city’s symbols, wove bracelets, and painted face art. Young strategists competed in chess and checkers.
The Bakhmut community thanks the Poltava Community Culture and Leisure Center for the incredible atmosphere and effective collaboration. Special thanks for organizing the workshops and activities go to Maksym Lager, Angelina Ripka, Anastasia Kryvenko, Ksenia Yakunina, Platon Kryvko, and the Poltava Regional Branch of the NGO “All-Ukrainian Public Organization ‘Solidarity Youth.’”
At the end, everyone made a wish for Bakhmut and released their dream into the sky. For many, the wish was the same—to meet again at home. In a Ukrainian, free, and thriving Bakhmut.
Based on materials from the Bakhmut City Council