35th UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION at ABQ Museum on Saturday Aug 22 from 2-5

Ukrainian Americans of New Mexico, their families and friends, in very close association with the Albuquerque Sister Cities Foundation (Kharkiv, Ukraine partnership) will be celebrating the 35th Ukrainian Independence Day at the Albuquerque Museum on Saturday August 22nd, 2026, at 2 P.M. We’ll have remarks by local civic leaders, very interesting reports on current events both here and abroad, a musical performance program, Ukrainian food and articles of interest will be on hand. We welcome all our returning guests from past years and are thrilled to welcome newcomers joining us for the first time.

The Albuquerque Sister Cities Foundation has a leading role in Ukrainian humanitarian work and will be sharing their latest achievements which have received international recognition.

The Albuquerque Museum is located in the Old Town district at 2000 Mountain Rd NW
We will be indoors, plenty of free parking and would love to see what potluck food you’d consider bringing with you to share.

On August 24, 1991 Ukrainians voted decisively in a free referendum, declaring their sovereignty and independence from the USSR, as did the peoples of the Crimean Autonomous Republic who joined with them..
Over the past several hundred years, Ukrainian immigrants have been an integral part in building a strong and free United States.

Please join us on August 22nd in commemorating these important contributions and to acknowledge the desire for freedom and justice we all share, particularly in this time of relentless barbarity.

To volunteer, express interest or for information please write to events@uanm.life or call.
Donations to help defray costs will be most welcome, $10 per person suggested.

Organizing Committeee
Ukrainian Americans of New Mexico

An exciting initiative bringing together youths from Germany, the USA, France, and Ukraine to foster international understanding and peace.

The anticipation is practically palpable on the Bötschenberg. At the Helmstedt Sports Club (Helmstedter SV) barbecue hut, the Helmstedt Town Twinning Association (HPV) has outlined the upcoming international youth soccer camp starting next week—an initiative driven by numerous local volunteers.

Overview of the Camp

From July 24 to 31, the HPV is hosting the international youth gathering titled “Game On.” The event features 65 young people aged 15 to 17 from a diverse group of cities:

• Helmstedt’s Twin Cities: Albuquerque (USA) and Vitré (France)
• Ukrainian Locations: Kherson, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia

The Ukrainian state-led platform Children of War is playing a key role, highlighting the primary focus of the camp in Germany.

“Rooted in the spirit of reconciliation following the devastating World Worlds, we feel deeply committed today to fostering European and international ideals—peace, grassroots understanding between nations, and democracy—by organizing diverse person-to-person encounters, especially for young people.”

— Dr. Joachim Scherrieble, HPV Chairman

How the Initiative Began

The inspiration for hosting this 2026 youth gathering in Helmstedt actually originated across the Atlantic. Pam Feather, chair of the Albuquerque Sister Cities committee, wanted to bring together soccer-loving youths from her city with peers from Kharkiv—which has been Albuquerque’s official sister city since 2023.

Because the current geopolitical situation made a direct meeting between the USA and Ukraine unfeasible, she suggested holding the international event in Helmstedt instead.

Budget, Sponsors, and Volunteer Support

The City of Albuquerque is providing crucial financial assistance to the HPV, alongside several key corporate sponsors, local clubs, and foundational backers:

• Facilities & Hospitality: Helmstedter SV (sports facilities) and restaurateur Markus Suchandt (club hospitality area).
• Local Authorities: The City and District of Helmstedt.
• Corporate & Community Sponsors: Sport-Thieme, Avacon, the Lions Club Helmstedt, and the Bürgerstiftung Ostfalen (Ostfalen Community Foundation).
• Equipment Logistics: The District Youth Fire Brigade, highly experienced in large-scale operations, is providing essential camp equipment ranging from tents to tableware.

The extensive planning team from the Helmstedt Partnership Association includes Dr. Joachim Scherrieble, Susanne Otto, Carsten Flohr, Monika Bartels-Röker, Harald Spitzer, Youth Liaison Daniela Meyer, and Secretary Ferhat-Atilgan Kara. They are supplemented by a massive team of local volunteers helping with setup, airport pickups, meal preparation, and program execution.

Camp Schedule and Activities

The international participants are scheduled to arrive in Germany on Friday, July 24. Upon arrival at the Bötschenberg grounds, the youth groups will share a barbecue and play icebreaker games to forge new friendships.

Local youth players from Helmstedt will join the visiting athletes throughout the week. Together, the participants will:

• Train at the new campus at the Julianum and utilize other regional sports facilities.
• Explore the historic city and visit the local outdoor pool.
• Visit historical cultural sites, including the Marienborn Memorial.

Tournament Notice: The official soccer tournaments will take place on Sunday morning, July 26, starting at 10:30 a.m. on the HSV pitch. The ceremonial opening kick-off will be performed by Member of the European Parliament Lena Dupont and Helmstedt District Administrator Gerhard Radeck.

Our Ukrainian Americans of New Mexico were honored to participate in the Democratic Party fundraising event in Albuquerque on May 2. While we do not typically take political positions, we want to express our sincere gratitude to current party leadership—at the local, state, and federal levels—for their steadfast support of Ukraine during this critical time.

We are especially appreciative of the openness and inclusiveness shown over the years toward the Ukrainian American community and its friends and supporters in New Mexico. You have demonstrated a meaningful understanding of how collaboration, compassion, and practical action can make a real difference in addressing global challenges and supporting those affected by them.

Thank you for your continued commitment to values that uplift and benefit humanity.

Нашій Українсько-Американській громаді Нью-Мексико було честю взяти участь у благодійному заході Демократичної партії в Альбукерке 2 травня. Хоча ми зазвичай не займаємо політичних позицій, ми хочемо висловити щиру вдячність нинішньому керівництву партії — на місцевому, штатному та федеральному рівнях — за їхню непохитну підтримку України в цей критичний час.

Ми особливо цінуємо відкритість і інклюзивність, які протягом років проявлялися до українсько-американської громади, а також до її друзів і прихильників у Нью-Мексико. Ви продемонстрували глибоке розуміння того, як співпраця, співчуття та практичні дії можуть справді змінювати ситуацію, допомагаючи долати глобальні виклики та підтримувати тих, хто від них постраждав.

Дякуємо за вашу незмінну відданість цінностям, які підносять і служать на благо людства.

Слава Україні!!

Music has always played a vital role in preserving cultural identity, especially during times of conflict. In this special presentation from New Mexico PBS’s ¡COLORES! series, the acclaimed Ukrainian ensemble Kurbasy shares their project “Songs of the Ukrainian Forest.” This unique performance draws from centuries-old folk traditions, reinterpreting them for modern audiences while honoring Ukraine’s deep cultural roots.

This program is part of the broader “New Mexicans Connecting with Ukrainians” initiative, which highlights artistic collaboration, cultural exchange, and community connections between New Mexico and Ukraine. Through music, storytelling, and shared experiences, these programs demonstrate how art can unite people across borders and serve as a powerful expression of resilience and identity.

Explore the full program and learn more about the connections between New Mexican communities and Ukrainian artists, and how traditional music continues to inspire and strengthen cultural heritage today.

New Mexicans Connecting with Ukrainians webpage

Ukrainian Americans of New Mexico org are collecting recipes for our new Ukrainian cookbook project — and yours might be the one everyone remembers!

We know there are as many recipes for borshch as there are Ukrainians around the world, and each adapts to local ingredients and tastes. That’s exactly the spirit of our cookbook.

Share it — and it may be featured in our Ukrainian Cookbook Project!

We are looking for:

Traditional dishes

Family recipes with stories

Creative or fusion ideas

Send your recipes: cookbook@uanm.life

Questions: 505.990.8266 (Mountain Time)

All proceeds will support Ukraine.

Let your recipe make history!

Proceeds from this cookbook will go to support Ukraine and Ukrainian causes. We will, of course, credit your recipe as you request.

Ваші 15 хвилин слави вже промайнули, і ви хотіли б ще один шанс увіковічнити своє ім’я?

Організація Ukrainian Americans of New Mexico збирає рецепти для нашого нового українського кулінарного проєкту — і саме ваш рецепт може стати тим, який усі запам’ятають!

Ми знаємо, що рецептів борщу стільки ж, скільки й українців у світі, і кожен адаптується до місцевих інгредієнтів і смаків. Саме у такому дусі створюється наша книга рецептів.

Маєте улюблений український рецепт?

Поділіться ним зі світом — і водночас допоможіть Україні!

Ми створюємо Українську кулінарну книгу та шукаємо:

Традиційні страви

Сімейні рецепти з історіями

Креативні та “фʼюжн” варіанти

Надсилайте рецепти: cookbook@uanm.life

Запитання? Телефонуйте: 505.990.8266 (Mountain Time)

Усі кошти від продажу книги підуть на підтримку України та українських проєктів.

Нехай саме ваш рецепт увійде в історію!

«Ваш рецепт — це історія України.»