Ukrainian Independence Day Open House
August 23, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
The Ukrainian Institute of America is opening its doors for an open house honoring the 35th Ukrainian Independence Day.
OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, August 23 | 12:00 – 6:00 PM
On Sunday, August 23, we welcome you for a full day of celebrating Ukrainian culture, creativity, and community.
The day’s program will feature special exhibitions, screenings of films by Ukrainian filmmakers, a food court offering Ukrainian cuisine, and a marketplace featuring Ukrainian artisans and vendors.
There is no entrance fee for the event; however, donations are appreciated.
Special Exhibitions
Superhumans Center: “Rebuilding Ukraine Through its Heroes, One Step at a Time”
Preview of Upcoming Sports Exhibit: “Champions of Ukraine”
“Elements of Style” from the UIA Permanent Collection
And more…
Film Screenings
01:00 PM – The Farmers of Kherson (28 minutes)
In the fields of Kherson, farming has become an act of resilience and ingenuity. Centered on Oleksandr Gordienko, a legendary local farmer, The Farmers of Kherson follows the struggle to cultivate mined land amid the realities of war, using drone surveys, satellite-guided planting, and precision technology to keep fields productive and harvests moving into the global food supply.
02:00 PM – Birds and Beasts (70 minutes)
From displaced persons camps to international acclaim, renowned Ukrainian-American artist Jacques Hnizdovsky’s remarkable journey echoes the experiences of Ukrainians forced to rebuild their lives far from home today. Narrated by his cat, Jérôme, Birds and Beasts is an imaginative exploration of identity, nature, migration, and the search for connection in the face of loneliness.
03:30 PM – “Sniper GoPro’d the War — Then It Followed Him Home” (22 minutes)
Roman, an Azov sharpshooter, captured the brutal reality of Bakhmut through raw GoPro footage that drew worldwide attention. Journalist Jason Bellini follows his journey from celebrated frontline soldier to a man confronting war’s invisible aftermath—repeated concussions, traumatic brain injury, and severe PTSD that follows him long after leaving the battlefield.
04:00 PM – The Ark (90 minutes)
When war leaves hundreds of animals abandoned and displaced, one young Ukrainian family transforms their farm into an extraordinary sanctuary. Caring for nearly 1,000 animals while risking their own safety, they create a refuge where courage, compassion, and hope endure amid the devastation of war.
Please join us as we come together to celebrate Ukraine’s independence, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Ukrainian Institute of America.