"Independence is Our Right": Heidelberg Celebrates with Ukraine

Heidelberg, August 24, 2026. It was a day of independence that did not stand by itself. Those who stood in the Anatomy Garden on that Monday evening celebrated 35 years of Ukrainian independence while simultaneously witnessing what the fourth year of the great war is really about: the question of whether Ukrainian children can grow up safely in their own country. The signs distributed by the organizers stated it shorter and clearer than any speech: "Independence is our right" and "Fear of math, not of rockets".

An alliance that shows how it’s done

The day was supported by the Community of Ukrainian Associations in Heidelberg, an informal alliance of four associations: the Support Group of Ukrainian Veterans South e.V., Leleka e.V., Friendship Knows No Borders e.V., and the German-Ukrainian Society Rhein-Neckar e.V. Organization and coordination were in the hands of Yevhen Gryshaiev (Support Group of Ukrainian Veterans South e.V.), Anastasiia Kurzel (Leleka e.V.), and Harald Nikolaus (Friendship Knows No Borders e.V.). Anastasiia Kurzel also hosted the program that evening. Harald Nikolaus took care of the technology, setup, and all that ultimately decides whether a rally works: a Heidelberg institution and, in the blue T-shirt, our blue angel that evening. Special thanks go to the wounded and disabled veterans supported by the Support Group: without them, this day would not have been what it was.

It is exactly this form of collaboration that we promote as DUOD and to which we call: several associations, different strengths, a common cause. The umbrella organization explicitly supports such alliances and is always ready to contribute its part.

From 2 PM: Information, books, Ukrainian cuisine

Long before the demonstration, an information tent was set up in the Anatomy Garden. It focused on the situation of children in Ukraine, the danger posed by landmines, and the history of the country. An exhibition panel titled "A Millennium of Ukrainian Statehood" traced the history from Rus through the Principality of Galicia-Volhynia, the Zaporozhian Sich, and the Hetmanate to the Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk from 1710, the Ukrainian People's Republic, and finally to August 24, 1991, and the referendum of December 1, 1991, in which 90.32 percent of participants voted for independence. Knowing this history is the most effective protection against Russian myths and propaganda.

During a children's book campaign, books could be purchased for a donation, and there was Ukrainian cuisine and plenty of opportunities for conversation. A total of 2,113 euros in donations were collected that day. All proceeds go to Save Ukraine. The Ukrainian aid organization, founded in 2014, brings children back from Russia and temporarily occupied areas, evacuates families from frontline regions, and provides psychological and social support to children on their way back to a safe life. According to its own reports, Save Ukraine has so far brought back more than 1,551 children, supported over 9,000 children in reintegration, and evacuated more than 165,000 children and relatives.

Stolen Children, Stolen Heritage

Andreas Kaprocki, Deputy Chairman of the DUOD and the German-Ukrainian Society Rhein-Neckar, led the program point on the Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Thousands of children have been taken to Russia and the occupied territories. They are not only deprived of parents and home, but also of language, name, and origin. Therefore, the preservation of our Ukrainian heritage is not a cultural program alongside politics, but part of defense: Those who know who they are cannot be assimilated. And those who return must know where they are returning to.

The extent to which childhood shifts in war was also made clear by the information tent: Over 30 percent of Ukrainian territory is mined. Millions of children today must learn to recognize mines instead of simply playing in the streets.

“We are very grateful to Heidelberg for the sustainable support,” said Kaprocki. For Ukraine to have a future, its children must be able to lead a safe life in their country. However, this requires “not pity, but means of support for our defense.” And he, like several speakers that evening, brought Ukraine closer to the European Union: Without the freedom of Ukraine, a free Europe is also not possible.

A psychologist then spoke about the psychological effects of the war on children. Pastor Andrii Chmyr from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic community in Mannheim held a minute of silence with those present for the fallen and the deceased.

Voices from German Politics

Karl A. Lamers, former CDU member of the Bundestag and honorary consul of Estonia, spoke to the present Ukrainians about the path to Europe that they wish to walk together, and called for the inclusion of Ukraine in the European Union. For peace, there needs to be deterrence and dialogue. Michael Steinke picked up on this thought for the SPD: Ukraine must not enter negotiations from a position of weakness, and peace must not cost it its culture, independence, and freedom. Gert Weisskirchen, a long-time SPD member of the Bundestag, also spoke that evening, representing the Europe Union. We thank all the politicians who came and found clear words. That on a Monday evening in August, representatives of several parties and the Europe Union spoke side by side for Ukraine is not a given.

Singing and dancing between the speeches

Starting at 5:30 PM, Ukrainian songs could be heard. Between the speeches, which were consistently held or translated in German and Ukrainian, a children's choir performed repeatedly, in both Ukrainian and German, and children danced in Ukrainian costumes. An adult choir also sang that evening, so two generations brought the same songs to the same old town of Heidelberg. One of the children's songs was about a child painting its homeland Ukraine on a piece of paper. It was the sentence of the evening, even though no speaker had said it.

The demands of the rally were clear: an end to the war, the inclusion of Ukraine in the European Union, and more arms deliveries. We thank everyone who donated, cooked, built, sang, and listened. The 2,113 euros raised that evening will help children return home. For us as an umbrella organization (DUOD) and for the Ukrainian community in Germany, this remains a task that extends beyond August 24: to act together, to remain visible here on the ground, and to support the defense of Ukraine with the means it truly needs.

Note: In local press coverage, the German-Ukrainian Society Rhein-Neckar e.V. was named as the sole organizer. In fact, the Community of Ukrainian Associations in Heidelberg, an informal alliance of the Support Circle of Ukrainian Veterans South e.V., Leleka e.V., Friendship Knows No Borders e.V., and the German-Ukrainian Society Rhein-Neckar e.V., called for and jointly conducted the rally.