As part of the national project “Side by Side: United Communities,” a meeting was held between young people from the Bakhmut and Hoshcha communities and veterans.
The event, titled “Living History: A Meeting Between Youth from the Bakhmut and Hoshcha Communities and Veterans,” brought together students and teachers from the Bakhmut Center for Vocational and Technical Education, community representatives, and veterans who participated in the defense of Bakhmut. The main goal of the meeting was to preserve the living memory of the war and foster dialogue between generations.
During the event, veterans from the Hoshcha community, Oleg Yurchuk and Serhiy Shymansky, who directly participated in the battles for Bakhmut, shared their personal memories of the first days of the full-scale invasion, the course of the city’s defense, comradeship in arms, and their service experiences. They paid special attention to the topic of returning to civilian life and the importance of supporting service members after they complete their service.
Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers regarding the veterans’ experiences, which contributed to a deeper understanding of the contemporary challenges facing Ukrainian society.
Representatives of local government bodies and organizations working to support veterans participated in the event. Speakers emphasized the importance of inter-community cooperation, support for defenders, and the preservation of historical memory.
The event was organized at the initiative of the Department of Youth Policy and Children’s Affairs of the Bakhmut City Council. Holding such meetings helps strengthen ties between communities, foster national consciousness among youth, and support veterans in their social adaptation.
When communities come together, history comes alive. United. Strong. Side by side.
Based on materials from the Bakhmut City Council