BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The City of Bethlehem held a flag-raising ceremony Friday at Payrow Plaza to commemorate Ukraine’s Independence Day, bringing together members of the Ukrainian and broader Bethlehem communities.
Janine Santoro, representing Mayor J. William Reynolds and the City of Bethlehem, presented a proclamation officially recognizing the day as a celebration of Ukraine’s Independence Day.
The proclamation recognized “the gallant and brave spirit of the Ukrainians who continue to struggle for freedom”.
It urged residents “to join in saluting them for their many contributions to the life of our Bethlehem community.”
The event was organized by the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Branch 91, based in Bethlehem.
Yulia Semonovych, president of the local branch, said the organization was celebrating Ukraine’s 34th Independence Day, marking the country’s declaration of independence on Aug. 24, 1991.
“We had an amazing turnout today, both from the Ukrainian community, the American community, the Spanish community; all different communities came together here at Payrow Plaza,” Semonovych said.
State Rep. Steve Samuelson attended the ceremony with a proclamation supporting Ukraine.
Semonovych, who was born shortly before Ukraine declared independence, described the personal significance of the day.
She lived in the Soviet Union for about a year before Ukraine gained independence and said her family’s experiences differed dramatically before and after independence.
“Having that history, the family’s still there, continuing to visit it every year, even while I was growing up in the United States and feeling what it was like to really grow up as a child in an independent and free country means a lot,” she said.
The Ukrainian National Women’s League Branch 91 will celebrate its 100th anniversary Sept. 28 at Northampton Country Club with a daytime gala featuring Ukrainian desserts and a violinist. The event is open to the public.
Local restaurant McCarthy’s Red Stag on Main Street is offering Ukrainian chicken kotleti this weekend, prepared by Yuri Stikt, a young Ukrainian refugee who has made his home in the Lehigh Valley.
The classic Ukrainian dish features tender chicken patties made with onion, garlic, egg, bread, and milk, topped with a sour cream and parsley sauce, and served with creamy mashed potatoes and buttered peas.
The restaurant is also offering a Zelenskyy cocktail as a special.
