Hundreds celebrated Ukrainian Independence Day with singing, dancing and crafts in Winchester. 

The Winchester Ukrainian Cultural Association invited the city to a family fun day in Abbey Gardens on Saturday, August 31. 

Independence Day of Ukraine is celebrated on August 24, to commemorate the Declaration of Independence in 1991. 

READ MORE: Ukrainian refugees in Hampshire celebrate Independence Day

Chair of the association, Yuliia Dubovyk, explained that the event in Winchester was held a week late to allow people to travel back home for the main holiday. 

She said: "It has been a pretty successful day, we've seen hundreds of Ukrainians. We had musical entertainment from Kalyna and Ukrainian workshops making traditional dolls called Montanka."

Families were invited to make Montanka dollsFamilies were invited to make Montanka dolls (Image: Newsquest) While the day was a moment for families to gather and have fun, marking Independence Day while Ukraine is still at war with Russia is tough for many.

Yuliia added: "It is a huge thing, we all feel very sad now because Ukraine has been under the biggest shelling, I think since the beginning, no city is safe right now. 

"For us it is really important to understand that we are together, and together with the British people, this day is for everyone.

"It is difficult to explain how we really feel right now, it is like we live two parallel lives. We wake up and check the news, and then we get on with our day. We need to show our children that there is hope and there is still reason for joy. 

"We think about our children here and those who are still in Ukraine. Children are amazing, they can build bridges and form friendships without anything, without shared language even."

Zarina, 11, sings Imagine for the crowd in Abbey GardensZarina, 11, sings Imagine for the crowd in Abbey Gardens (Image: Newsquest) Lala Smaglova, a singer set up Kalyna, a choir of Ukrainian women living in Winchester. 

At the family day, they provided musical entertainment for the crowd. The group performed traditional Ukrainian music, plus covers of British songs including Dream a Little Dream of Me.

Lala said: "For me, singing is my passion, in Ukraine, I am a singer and it is a big part of life. Music and songs are the universal language, it is a way that I can share my culture here.

"It is important for everyone here in the choir, to share our feelings, passions and emotions." 

Click the gallery above to see photos from the day in Abbey Gardens.