Despite being forced to relocate, Ukrainian traditions and national holidays remain strong. A striking example of this was this year’s celebration of Ukraine’s Constitution Day by the children of the Druzhkivka Children’s Residential Care Home in the Kingdom of Spain. For the fifth consecutive year, far from home, children and young people with disabilities have honored one of Ukraine’s most important national holidays with dignity and love.
As a reminder, due to the escalation of hostilities in the Donetsk region caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion, 84 residents of the Druzhkivka Children’s Residential Care Home were evacuated to the Kingdom of Spain to safeguard their lives and health. This step was made possible thanks to the sincere support and hospitality of the Kingdom of Spain, its citizens, and numerous volunteer organizations.
This year, the festive event titled “Ukraine Is Us!” brought together the evacuees from Donetsk in a shared spirit of unity. With pride and a deep sense of patriotism, the children sang the Ukrainian national anthem, and their voices, filled with hope, echoed far beyond the walls of their temporary shelter. The children recited poems that touched the hearts of everyone present, emphasizing the enduring importance of preserving cultural values and centuries-old Ukrainian traditions. These moving moments evoked sincere emotions and brought tears to the eyes of the adults.
An important part of the celebration was an informational session titled “Rights and Responsibilities of Ukrainian Citizens,” dedicated to the fundamentals of human rights. Participating in this session gave the students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and deepen their understanding of the rights and freedoms enshrined not only in the Constitution of Ukraine but also in other international documents governing human rights. This demonstrates that even under challenging circumstances, children and young people continue to acquire knowledge and develop a conscious civic stance.
The students were particularly delighted to participate in the themed workshop “Symbols of Ukraine in Ornamentation.” Using appliqué, drawings, and embroidery elements, the students created their own artistic masterpieces, embodying their love for their homeland and its symbols. Each piece was imbued with national character and demonstrated the students’ boundless creative potential.
We express our sincere pride in our students, their resilience, patriotism, and unbreakable spirit. We eagerly await their return home to Ukrainian soil as soon as possible.
We are infinitely grateful to the Kingdom of Spain—the country that has provided shelter to our students—as well as to its kind citizens and all volunteer organizations for their invaluable help and support. Every step like this brings us closer to our shared Victory!
Everything will be Ukraine!