Leaving on Kharkiv Day
23 August is Kharkiv Day, commemorating the city's liberation (after several previous tries) in 1943 by the Soviet Red Army in World War II. Beginning in 2004, 23 August is also National Flag Day of Ukraine. The following day, 24 August, is Independence Day, dating from 1991 when parliament adopted the Act of Declaration of Independence, freeing Ukraine from the Soviet Union. I am travelling from Kharkiv to England, to visit my Mum, and other family and friends. I'll be away for a little over 2 weeks, which is not long but it always feels difficult to leave Kharkiv. At least I know that I won't be missed too much in terms of staffing the kitchen, as we have lots of foreign volunteers just now, both new and returning, including quite a large contingent of British volunteers! 3:1 Brits to Americans in these photos! A number of volunteers choose to increase their volunteering opportunities, e.g. after peeling vegetables in the morning they...