A group of Ukrainian refugees will be marking their country's independence day and singing in Bridport's Bucky Doo Square.

To commemorate the special day, on August 24, they will sing traditional Ukrainian songs as well as Stefania, the song that won the Eurovision song contest this year.

There will be a stall and display on the arts centre forecourt, with Ukrainian cakes, pasties and sweets on offer. There will also be cards designed by Rowan Beecham with the challenge of trying to write in Cyrillic lettering. All the Ukrainian refugees are learning how to write in our alphabet, as well as to speak English.

Bridport Refugee Support Campaign is sponsoring the stall and has bought blouses for each of the singers. The blouses, from Fat Face, reminded them of traditional Ukrainian embroidery and Fat Face made a donation towards the cost of these blouses when they heard what they were for.

In the evening at 6pm the singers will join the Brit Valley Rotary Club picnic for Independence Day of Ukraine at West Bay.

Valentina Osborne, a Ukrainian who has lived in Bridport for four years, said: "We are celebrating our Ukrainian independence day even though our country is fighting for its very survival. And this year, Ukraine celebrates the 31st anniversary of the day when Ukraine became a free state."

Every year on August 24, Independence Day of Ukraine is celebrated across the country. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine declared their independence; in a referendum this was supported by 80 per cent of the population. To celebrate, concerts and festivals are held on the capital's main square. People dress up in embroidered clothes, carry state flags and sing songs, a tradition preserved in all the major cities pf Ukraine. In addition, prayers for the health and safety of the country are read in churches and temples, and at the end of the day, fireworks are set off in all cities.

Despite the war, our Ukraine guests will celebrate the holiday this year.