On 21 May, Ukraine marked the Day of Interethnic Harmony and Cultural Diversity for the second time. This year, the date also coincided with the 20th anniversary of Vyshyvanka Day.

It is a special and bright day that brings together memory, culture, traditions, and a sense of shared belonging.

Four years of full-scale war have once again shown how important unity between people, communities, and cultures is for Ukraine. In the most difficult moments, Ukrainians of different backgrounds, traditions, and languages have stood side by side — military personnel, volunteers, healthcare workers, civil society activists, and young people. It is through mutual support, respect, and the feeling of a shared home that the country’s strength is formed.

The Day of Interethnic Harmony and Cultural Diversity reminds us that Ukraine is a space where every community is an important part of our shared future. We preserve our roots, speak different languages, and have different traditions, yet together we are building one country.

Today, we once again felt this unity in Kyiv during the Forum of National Minorities / Communities and Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine, held at the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden. Voice of Romni co-organized the event together with the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, the Embassy of Canada in Ukraine, and other partners.

The symbol of the forum was a garden — a space where different trees, flowers, and roots grow side by side, creating one living system. This image reflects Ukraine with particular accuracy: diverse, many-voiced, and strong in its unity. Voice of Romni had the opportunity to plant its own tree — an apple tree, which carries special meaning for the Roma community. Its roots embody the memory of ancestors, the strength of traditions, and the connection between generations, while the tree itself represents life that continues despite loss, discrimination, and forced displacement. The apple tree symbolizes home, care, women’s strength, and the future of children — everything for which the community continues to fight today: the right to be heard, visible, and equal.

Everyone had the opportunity to tie their own colorful ribbon to the tree, which symbolized Ukraine as a shared home for different peoples. Guests could also taste traditional breads prepared by national communities and indigenous peoples.

The path to the main plateau led through the Alley of Memory on the central steps of the botanical garden. It was created using motifs from different traditions of honoring heroes: Ukrainian wheat ears and viburnum, stones of remembrance, ribbons, candles, pomegranate branches, and elements reflecting Roma, Crimean Tatar, Karaim, Gagauz, Jewish, Armenian, and other cultural codes. The Alley of Memory featured photographs of fallen servicewomen and servicemen from different national minority communities and indigenous peoples of Ukraine.

Throughout the day, the program included workshops, lectures, performances, haivky – Ukrainian traditional spring ritual songs and dances, a joint prayer, and tree planting. Songs in different languages were performed, live music filled the space, creative presentations took place, and guests had the opportunity to discover national cuisines.

For the second time, the forum became a space of support, dialogue, and unity. Anzhelika Bielova, President of Voice of Romni, emphasized that this day holds special meaning for the Roma community — it is about dignity, visibility, and the right of every person and every community to be heard.

During the event, Anzhelika Bielova received an acknowledgment from the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience for her active civic engagement, consistent protection of the rights of the Roma community, support for women and youth, and contribution to the development of intercultural dialogue and social unity. For Voice of Romni, this is not only recognition of the organization’s many years of work, but also a symbol of an important partnership with the State Service. We are glad that in recent years we have managed to join efforts to support the quality implementation of the Roma Strategy in Ukraine — both at the national and regional levels.

Today, we once again saw how beautiful, vibrant, and multicultural Ukraine is. We thank everyone who was part of this day and shared it with us.