The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Events marking one year of war in Ukraine
This Friday marks exactly one year since Russian forces invaded Ukraine, inciting the largest conflict in Europe since World War II.
President Joe Biden visited Kyiv this week and delivered an address in neighboring Poland Tuesday, reiterating the United States’ unwavering support for Ukrainians. The United States and other Western allies have sent billions of dollars in direct military aid to Ukraine.
Nearly 365 days into the war, the country has seen mass destruction, civilian casualties, and millions of refugees — some of whom have built a life in Connecticut over the past year, uncertain when they can return to Ukraine.
Many churches, community organizations and schools are hosting events over the next month to recognize the one-year anniversary of the conflict.
Pray for Ukraine, New Britain
St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, New Britain; Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.
The church will host a Moleben, a prayer service, for Ukrainians on the oneyear anniversary of the war.
Hearts for Ukraine, Hartford
Ukrainian National Home, Hartford; Feb. 24 from 3 to 9 p.m.
A candlelight vigil will take place at 4 p.m. to honor the Ukrainian soldiers and civilians hurt by the war.
The event will also exhibit the work of Dasha Tenditna, a portrait photographer from Kyiv.
Vigil of One Year Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Bloomfield
Bloomfield Congregational Church, Bloomfield; Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.
The vigil will be available to the public in person or via live stream.
Shabbat for Ukrainian Jews, Norwalk
Congregation Beth El, Norwalk; Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.
The event’s guest speaker is Eastern Ukraine native Dr. Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of National Security at the University of New Haven,
where she teaches courses on International Relations and politics. She also edits the online scholarly forum, “Eyes on Donbas: Politics, Places, and People,” at the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute. Lennon will also speak at the Southington Public Library on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. and at The Stonington Free Library on Thursday, March 9.
Ukraine House at Yale: ‘One Year of Ukraine’s Defense,’ New Haven
Yale University, New Haven; Feb. 24 at noon
The guest speakers are Timothy Snyder, a Yale
history professor specializing in modern history of Central and Eastern Europe, and Konstantin Usov, the deputy mayor of Kyiv.
‘One Year On’ Service, Stamford
Browne’s Hospital, Stamford; Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Supported by the Stamford Diversity Group CIC, Stamford Churches will host an anniversary event on Friday, featuring a prayer service, candle lighting and poetry.
‘How the Ukrainian Displacement Crisis Shapes European & American Policy,’ Hamden
Quinnipiac University, Hamden; Feb. 25 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Ambassadors from Romania, Hungary and Poland will speak at QU conference recognizing one year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Senator Richard Blumenthal will deliver the opening remarks before panelists discuss news from the war’s frontlines, refugee displacement, the economic cost of the refugee crisis and Connecticut’s efforts to help.
‘Art for Ukraine’ exhibition and concert performance, Norwalk
Oksana Tanasiv Gallery, Norwalk; Feb. 25 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Various Ukrainian and American artists will showcase their work at Saturday’s charity exhibition. Artist Iryna Lonchyna and performer Lubomyr Chermak will also perform at the event.
Stand with Ukraine: One Year Later, Mystic
John Kelley statue, Mystic: Feb. 25 from 1 to 2 p.m.
Patrice Granatosky, former mayor of Groton, and Teresa and Peter Roper are hosting a memorial service in downtown Mystic to mark one year since the invasion.
Charity Concert to Support Ukraine, Riverside
St. Catherine of Siena Church, Riverside; Feb. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Ukrainian-American opera singer Hanna Golodinskii, pianists Dr. Liya
Kofman Petrides and Lyudmila German will perform classical music pieces to express love and remembrance for Ukrainians. Blue Sky Ukraine, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Ukrainian children and the elderly population, is sponsoring the event, which will feature a back sale at the Sunday masses and after the concert.
Climb Ev’ry Mountain: A benefit concert for Operation Renew Prosthetics, New London
St. James Episcopal Church, New London: March 12 at 3 p.m.
Singer Elisabeth Von Trapp, granddaughter of the couple that inspired the “The Sound of Music,” and guitarist Peppino D’Agostino will perform with members of The Anglican Singers and St. James and St. Ann’s choirs. Proceeds from the concert will go towards Operation Renew Prosthetics, a program run by Medical Center Orthotics and Prosthetics (MCOP) in Maryland that provides artificial limbs to Ukrainian soldier amputees. Bill Endicott, ORP’s co-founder, will speak at the event.
‘Instruments of Peace’ choir festival concert, Meriden
St. Rose Church, Meriden: March 19 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
The Waterbury Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is hosting a charity benefit concert for Catholic Relief Services, which provides support to Ukraine. The Avon High School Chorus and a choir of 80 adult singers from central Connecticut will perform.