Victory Day in Ukraine

Victory Day was yesterday here in Ukraine. This day is a giant celebration for all of Ukraine...the day that the SSSR defeated Hitler. Kids do not have school, businesses are closed (for the most part) and activities are going on all day long. We had regular Russian language lesson from 8-10 am, then a quick technical language session, and off to the parade we went!

People waiting for the parade to begin...

Since we were missing 2 hours of Russian class (FYI: for Pre-Service Training we are supposed to have 4 hours of Russian class a day), part of our assignment was to interview veterans about their experiences during the war, how old they were, where they served, etc...all in Russian. This cute little old man was covered in badges, of which one was similar to the Purple Heart. I believe this is his sister sitting next to him.

I interviewed this cute old babushka...but snagged the picture of Mark interacting with her. She was very curious why we were here in Oster...which I actually knew how to communicate my answer to in Russian! For the most part that is... :)

The man on the left was 16 when he was sent to Austria (I think). He worked there for a few years...unaware that the war was over. He actually met an American who informed him that it was finally over and that he could go home. The American helped he and his friends by buying them clothes, food, and a car to drive back to Ukraine. While driving across Poland (I think) they were taken to prison because it was so long after the war that the police thought they might be spies. (Sidenote: I hope I am telling these stories correctly...if my clustermates read this and they are wrong, please correct me!)

Part of the parade...soldiers marching in formation

We see Brendan's family all over town...including his favorite family Sasha :) From left to right: Vika (Brendan's host sister), Maria (our rotational Russian teacher), Olga (Brendan's host mom), Sasha (in Brendan's arms...), and Brendan.

cute little Sasha. Remember her?

Babushkas sitting at the park after the parade where the mayor gave a speech and guns were fired in honor of those who lost their lives.


There is a monument in our city park that commemorates all of the lives lost and people of all ages bring flowers (that are freshly in blume all over the city) and lay them on the monument. You might also have seen veterans with these flowers...it's all part of the giant celebration. (Sidenote: one of the babushkas that lives in Maria's {our Russian teacher} apartment building gave us each a freshly cut tulip from her garden to be able to give to a veteran that day. So sweet!)

On holidays here in Ukraine, one of the typical foods that families cook is called shask-leek, aka shish kabobs. My host mom and dad made some deliciously seasoned meat...I'm not even sure what the meat was but it was seasoned so well I didn't care. Probably pork.


I'll end with a few pictures that were just too cute/interesting to not post...

Loved this adorable braid that the little girl on the left has in her hair! And the sunglasses the little girl on the right is sporting...

There was a competition held after the parade outside of the city administration building where local Oster people could compete for prizes (I think). We didn't stay to watch much of it but the costumes were pretty great.

Also outside watching the competition was this great photo op. Couldn't pass it up...


There was also a legitimate competition here in Oster that featured Ukrainian artists...the girl in the blue sang with quite a voice...but the best part were her back-up dancers, and more importantly, their costumes. The end!