March for Everyone - Stand With Ukraine

The commemoration will take place in and around the Grote Markt and this year's theme is "living in war." As Ukraine experiences its fourth winter of large-scale war, citizens are once again facing cold, power outages, water shortages, and the constant bombing of energy infrastructure. The impact is profound: people are exhausted, losing hope, and facing daily loss and uncertainty.

The program begins at 3:00 PM with a March for Everyone through Groningen city center. Speeches and performances will follow, including contributions from:

• Mayor Roelien Kamminga
• Oleksii Anulja, former Ukrainian soldier and prisoner of war
• A delegation from the Embassy of Ukraine
• Musical and artistic performances by children and artists from the Ukrainian community

Oleksii Anulya was captured by Russian forces in 2022 and spent approximately ten months in captivity, where he was severely abused. Since his release, he has been working internationally to raise awareness of war crimes, the plight of prisoners of war, and the consequences of propaganda. His personal testimony is a key element of the program.

After the speeches, there will be time for socializing, eating, and drinking. Visitors can also experience what daily life was like during wartime through installations and displays on the square.

The De Sociale Brigade Foundation is organizing this event as part of its ongoing humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. The foundation has been active since the beginning of the war, supporting local initiatives, raising public awareness in the Netherlands, transporting aid to Ukraine, and providing moral support in Ukraine. The commemoration on February 22nd is explicitly intended as a moment of solidarity, reflection, and connection—with Ukraine and the Ukrainian community in the Northern Netherlands. We hope for a large turnout of Dutch people to show their support.