On a brisk Sunday afternoon, members of Calgary's vibrant Ukrainian community gathered at a poignant city landmark, their voices and flags a vivid call for peace. The Stand With Ukraine rally took place on January 18, 2026, at the Holodomor Monument near the intersection of Memorial Drive and Edmonton Trail.
A Call for Unity and Remembrance
Dozens of participants waved blue and yellow flags, drawing supportive honks from passing drivers. The event, organized by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Calgary Branch, was the group's first public demonstration of the new year. It was timed to precede Ukraine's Unity Day, observed on January 22.
Anna Tselukhina, the rally committee chair, emphasized the dual purpose of the gathering. "We just want to show our unity with Ukraine, although we are here, not in Ukraine right now, but still Ukraine is in our hearts," she stated. "We want to support people there, and we want to remind Calgarians and Canadians that the war is not over yet."
Highlighting Ongoing Hardship and Resilience
Tselukhina drew a stark contrast between the unseasonably warm Calgary weather and the brutal conditions being weaponized against her homeland. She reported that while Calgarians enjoyed mild temperatures, Ukrainians were enduring frigid cold of -15 to -20 degrees Celsius without essential utilities.
"Russia continues to hit civilian buildings and infrastructure," she said. "Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, is without electricity, without heat, and without water for a few days already."
The rally also served to mark the grim milestone of nearly four years since the full-scale invasion began. Tselukhina expressed concern that global attention is waning. "We know that there's a lot of things going on... and people and politicians start to get distracted from the situation in Ukraine," she noted, arguing that supporting Ukraine's fight is synonymous with supporting democratic values close to the Canadian worldview.
Gratitude for Local Support and a Look Forward
Despite the dire situation abroad, Tselukhina conveyed deep appreciation for the sustained support from Calgarians and Canadian political leaders. She acknowledged challenges faced by newly arrived Ukrainians in Alberta, including issues with documentation, permanent residency, healthcare access, and the high cost of education.
"We're very happy to see politicians trying to help in those different situations," she said. "The local and national government, they do whatever they can to support Ukraine... so we are very thankful for this."
She concluded by sharing that the incredible resilience of friends and family in Ukraine serves as her primary motivation. Witnessing their determination to help one another amid constant hardship inspires the continued advocacy work in Calgary. The message from the banks of the Bow River was clear: the spirit of Ukraine remains unbroken, and its cause must not be forgotten.
