Ukrainian School Surrey Holds Memorial Event to Mark Third Anniversary of Invasion

Published on: 24 Feb, 2025
Updated on: 24 Feb, 2025

Volunteers and co-founders of the Ukrainian School, Surrey

By Stella Kuchanny

The third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was marked in Guildford on Saturday by the Ukrainian School Surrey with an emotional memorial evening.

The event, held at the school’s Waterden Road premises, was a poignant gathering of students, volunteers and members of the local community.

The evening featured performances by the school’s children and volunteers, including sorrowful songs and dramatic pieces that captured the pain and resilience of the Ukrainian community.

Former Mayor Dennis Booth, school co-founder Inna Haitan and Mayor Sallie Barker

Inna Haitan, co-founder of the Ukrainian School Surrey, described the event as deeply moving: “The children and volunteers sang sorrowful songs like ‘Do Not Kill Us’ and ‘Spring Did Not Greet Us There.’ They also performed a dramatic piece titled ‘I Have No Home,’ which left everyone in tears.”

In attendance was Guildford Mayor Sallie Barker and former Mayor and county councillor for the Horsleys, Dennis Booth.

Giving messages of solidarity and support Inna said the councillors “emphasised that the Ukrainian School Surrey is an important part of the local community. They stand with us and share in our pain. It was an evening filled with emotion, reflection, and a shared hope for the future”.

The Mayor said: “This school represents more than just a place of learning – it is a home away from home for many children who have faced displacement and uncertainty. It is where Ukrainian language, traditions, and identity are kept alive, even as your homeland continues its brave fight for freedom.

“Tonight, as we remember the past three years, we also look to the future with hope. Guildford stands firmly with Ukraine and its
people. Our borough will continue to be a place of welcome, support, and friendship for all those affected by this conflict.

“May this evening serve not only as a remembrance but as a celebration of the unbreakable Ukrainian spirit and the bonds of friendship that have grown between our communities… Slava Ukraini.”

The above statement was issued by Woking’s MP, Will Forster, who is currently in Ukraine with a cross-party group of MPs on a fact-finding visit.

A Community United in Support

For many attendees, the evening provided a moment to reflect on the past three years and the impact of the war on those who fled Ukraine and those who remain there.

Anna Zednyk, co-founder and principal of the Ukrainian School Surrey, expressed gratitude to the local community: “It was a very emotional evening – an opportunity to remember those who have died in the war and for our Ukrainian community, adults and children alike, to reflect on what has happened. We are very thankful to people in the Surrey community for opening their homes and hearts to us.”

The Ukrainian School Surrey was founded in autumn 2022 by three Ukrainian mothers to help children stay connected to their homeland, language, and culture. The school provides education in Ukrainian language, history, and traditions, aiming to ease the transition for children who may one day return to Ukraine.

Since its founding, over 120 children aged 4 to 16 have studied at the school, making it an essential cultural and educational space for displaced Ukrainian families in Surrey.

The anniversary event was a reminder of the ongoing impact of the war and the resilience of the Ukrainian community, strengthened by the support of Guildford residents and local leaders.

For more information on the Ukrainian School Surrey, visit their website or follow their updates on social media.