Celebrating Ukraine’s Independence Day with Joy and Togetherness
Bucharest, Romania
On Friday, August 22, 2025, the children and teenagers from the One Stop Shop Center celebrated in advance Ukraine’s Independence Day, officially marked on August 24. The event transformed a playground near Bucharest into a vibrant space of joy, energy, and solidarity.
The day was filled with outdoor activities designed to spark laughter and bring people together. Young participants bounced on trampolines, tried their aim at archery, played ping pong, and eagerly lined up to break the piñata. One of the highlights was the karaoke session, where the children sang with passion and pride, creating moments of fun and connection that everyone will remember.
“For us, today was more than just a celebration—it was a chance to feel free, happy, and close to each other,” said 15-year-old Radu, one of the participants.
The celebration was not only about entertainment but also about honoring the meaning of Independence Day. For many of the young people, it was a reminder of resilience and the importance of community.
“We wanted the children to feel that they belong, that they can celebrate their country’s independence even while being away from home. Their smiles and energy showed us how important these moments are,” shared Izaura Dryma, facilitator at the One Stop Shop Center.
The event ended with shared laughter, songs, and plenty of new memories. For the children and teenagers of the center, it was a day that highlighted friendship, cultural pride, and the joy of being together as a community.
Through activities like this, the One Stop Shop Center continues its mission of offering support, creating safe spaces for learning and growth, and celebrating the values of identity and resilience.
The One-Stop-Shop Center, opened on April 25, 2023, is dedicated to supporting Roma refugees from Ukraine and is funded through grants from the Council of Europe Development Bank’s Migrants and Refugees Fund (CEB).
