In Ukraine where everyone loves a reason to party every city has a special day. I don’t know if these days are related to a specific event or just a day that was chosen. I cannot find anything that says the day itself is special so probably just a day they picked to celebrate. For your information Dnepropetrovsk was first established as Ekaterinoslav in 1776. It was named Dnepropetrovsk in 1926, Dnipropetrovsk in 1992 when Ukraine declared independence from Russia and in May of 2016 was renamed Dnipro.
So Saturday morning we got up a little later than usual but as usual we started our day with our weekly shopping. When we were coming home there were lots of people out and about and we noticed that our road (Poliya) was once again blocked off from the main road and there were police cars to make sure no one passed the blockades.
Later I was cleaning and cooking and I heard a lot of commotion outside. At the window I saw that the street was filled with people and it seemed to be a parade of some sort. We watched for a while and then I decided I had to go down and take some pictures. So I left Elder Morgenegg in charge of the plum tart in the oven and went down. The streets and sidewalks were packed with people for as far as you could see both directions and the costumes were amazing. People were happy – waving and smiling and singing and dancing. The music was loud and crazy and it was very festive. Here are some of the pictures I took.
An advertisement I found on line for Dnipro City Day.
As I walked to the street there were so many costumes to see.
Sunflowers are very popular here – it is the national flower. there were a group of little girls in Ukrainian dresses with sunflower hats. This little girl would not pose for me. so I only got her back.
A group of girls in costume preparing to enter the parade.
More costumes
For a while the parade was stopped – no idea why – probably a hang up farther up the road.
There were lots of balloons
It is hard to see this group of clowns.
This group of dancers were getting ready to pose for pictures while they waited.
Here is the posed picture. The one in the middle pulled up the strings in the flags on the side to make them part of her skirt when she started walking again.
More dancers and Ukrainian costumes
Here are some more interesting costumes.
And here are some more – there is an oriental group behind them with paper umbrellas.
More costumes and more balloons
And more – the girls in green are a dancing group.
The girls in green and more
Lots of people were walking and just waving Ukrainian flags.
Ukrainian vyshyvanka – lots and lots of this
Ukrainian vyshyvanka
Ukrainian vyshyvanka
Ukrainian vyshyvanka
These two girls begged me to take a pictures then the one covered her face.
Ukrainian vyshyvanka and flower wreaths
There is an Olympic training center on the island near us and here they have a float. There were lots of athletes following behind.
Can you see the end?
Olympic float with athletes on it waving.
Athletes – gymnasts and swimmers
Just fun! Dragons!
Athletes – Karate (for you Spencer)
More karate
Fencing!
And more! In Olympic clothes
On the sidewalk – Hare Krishna singing and waving – obviously not allowed in the parade itself. We see them often here.
More athletes – not sure if this is more karate – but some are mixed here.
Soccer
Football
Another Float is coming now.
This one has some famous Ukrainian singer and some other costumed characters.
Bright costumes and big flags
It took a few minutes to figure out this next very large group. There is a huge candy company here that is very popular and has stores around the city. The one in white shirts and purplish aprons represent those stores – they all also have a balloon and some are carrying large representations of the candy – truffles are one of their big things. I haven’t had any yet but as soon as I find them I will. They had a lot of workers (or family members) walking along.
Giant Truffle
Here is a group on roller blades – some had their faces painted – others had costumes – some just skated along.
A large Mr. Peanut.
And they keep coming.
Another float – this one much fancier than some.
On the float was Spiderman and other characters.
A group of people with yellow shirts (Ukrainian color), large flowers and more balloons.
More Ukrainian vyshyvanka – this time with older people as well.
A train – decorated with balloons and with children inside.
Another Float with more singers.
Singer and costumes “guards?”
Doctors and Nurses walking by.
?? ???? ??????? What shall I do?
? Semki! There are seeds! (Sunflower seeds)
Bringing up the end of the parade was this cute yellow mini van. Semki is a Sunflower brand here. Elder Morgenegg had some and he says they are small but taste pretty good. In the states the seeds are much bigger.
So that was the parade. The road was blocked off until late that night and there were lots of activities. One thing we worried about is the huge stage right across the street from us.
Talent Stage
Fuzzy girl in vyshyvanka complet with a flower wreath on her head was singing her heart out.
Turns out this was not as loud as the other end of the road where the loud raucous music comes from, in fact some of the music from here was very nice. You could see groups lined up outside the stage to come on. The karate group was lined up at one time. Later I think there was ballet as we heard swan lake and parts of the nutcracker and other classical music – that was a nice change.
One last picture – these two girls were dressed head to toe in traditional vyshyvanka and they were so cute.
Traditional vyshyvanka – including boots and flower wreaths.
Even late that night there were lots of people on the street and on the sidewalks going both directions. Families with young children, strollers and children on shoulders as well as teens and older people. It was a huge celebration and the next day it was sooooo quiet – almost eerie quiet going to Church. However, by the time we were coming home the city was awake again.
Next year we may have to plan to be out and about. I heard there was an artist festival and a food festival and a flower festival. The missionaries said it was crowded all over the city but we should try it once I think.
Hope you enjoyed a taste of Dnipro City Day.