The Colosseum in Rome was lit up in blue and yellow in honour of Ukraine’s Independence Day
Rome, 24 August 2026. On Ukraine’s Independence Day, the Colosseum — one of Italy’s most famous landmarks — was illuminated in blue and yellow. In this way, Rome joined in the celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence and demonstrated its solidarity with the Ukrainian people. 🇺🇦💙💛 A rally was held near the Colosseum attended by Ukrainian activists, community representatives and friends of Ukraine. The event was attended by Ihor Brusilo, Ukraine’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Italy, who addressed those present and expressed his support for the Ukrainian community.
A group of Ukrainian activists from Naples, led by Tetyana Onyskiv, President of the Dateci Le Ali association, travelled to Rome especially for the occasion. For the participants, this trip was not merely an opportunity to take part in an official event, but a symbol of the unity of Ukrainians who, whilst far from their homeland, continue to support Ukraine and remind the world of its struggle for freedom. Against the backdrop of the blue-and-yellow Colosseum, the Ukrainians raised their national flags, sang the Ukrainian national anthem, paid tribute to the fallen heroes and took part in a fundraising drive for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Christian Association of Ukrainians in Italy (Associazione Cristiana degli Ucraini in Italia) and Ukrainian activists helped to organise and coordinate the event. The organisers expressed special thanks to Oles Horodetskyi for organising and coordinating the event, as well as to the Embassy of Ukraine in Italy and Ambassador Ihor Brusyl for their initiative and support of the Ukrainian community.
“For me, as president of the Dateci Le Ali association, this was a special day. A day of unity, remembrance and resilience. We came from Naples not just for the event – we came to show that Ukraine is united, wherever we live, and that our struggle for freedom continues,” said Tetyana Onyskiv. The participation of the Neapolitan delegation served as yet another reminder: Ukrainians in Italy remain a united community, regardless of where they live.
