As part of the national project “Side by Side: United Communities,” a meaningful online event titled “Independence in Each of Us” was held to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day. Despite the distance, the communities of Toretsk, Ruzhyn, and Kaniv came together in a shared aspiration—to preserve unity, support one another, and work together to build a strong and unbreakable Ukraine.
During the online meeting, participants discussed the history and traditions of their communities, their native land, and the people whose daily work brings us closer to our shared Victory, as well as what independence means to each of us.
Staff members from the Derhanivka and Verkhivnia libraries in the Ruzhyn community presented creative performances by children, featuring heartfelt and patriotic poems dedicated to Ukraine, its freedom, and its resilience.
The conversation about our hometowns and villages, cultural heritage, customs, and the memories we cherish—even when circumstances force us to leave our homes—was particularly heartwarming. After all, a community is more than just a territory. It is the people, their stories, traditions, mutual support, and love for their homeland.
The online bridge has become a symbol of the fact that distance cannot separate those united by shared values, memories, and love for Ukraine.
Independence is our shared strength, responsibility, and faith in the future.
Together, we are preserving our communities, supporting one another, and building a Ukraine that future generations will be proud of.
Side by side—toward unity, resilience, and victory!
Based on materials from the Toretsk City Military Administration