August 23 is an annual Canadian Day of Remembrance for the victims of Nazi and communist crimes, known as Black Ribbon Day.
This year, Black Ribbon Day has taken on renewed significance given Russia’s unprovoked and savage invasion of Ukraine. The unspeakable atrocities committed by Vladimir Putin’s soldiers have awoken the traumas held by millions of Canadian who fled Nazi German and Soviet Russian occupation and terror after WWII.
This year, we encourage all Canadians to wear a black ribbon and to participate in Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations to demonstrate our solidarity with Ukraine and our Ukrainian Canadian friends. The following events will be happening across Canada:
Toronto (Ukrainian Independence Day)
Saturday August 20 at 10am
Centennial Park
256 Centennial Park Road, Toronto
Toronto
Eccumenical Black Ribbon Day Service
Sunday August 21 at 11:30am
St. Peter’s Estonian Lutheran Church
817 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Toronto
Vancouver
Sunday August 21 at 2pm
Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza
750 Horny St., Vancouver
Ottawa
Ukraine and Black Ribbon Day Protest
Tuesday August 23 at 6pm
Russian Embassy in Canada
285 Charlotte St, Ottawa
Calgary (Ukrainian Independence Day)
Wednesday August 24 at 7pm
Ukrainian Independence Day Rally
Calgary Municipal Plaza
800 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary
For more information: blackribbonday.org or ceecouncilcanada@gmail.com
The Estonian Central Council in Canada (ECC)/Eestlaste Kesknõukogu Kanadas (EKN) is a nationally elected council founded in 1951 that furthers the interests and development of the Canadian Estonian community.