JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Members of Jacksonville’s Ukrainian community gathered this weekend for the Ukrainian Art Festival, an event honoring Ukraine’s Independence Day while also reflecting on the ongoing war in their homeland.

The festival brought together families, artists and local residents to celebrate Ukrainian culture through music, dance, traditional crafts and cuisine. 

Organizers say the event is a way to share their heritage with the broader Jacksonville community, particularly during a time when global attention has been focused on the conflict in Ukraine.

President Trump suggested Ukraine should go on the offensive — questioning why Kyiv isn’t striking deeper into Russia.

“But in the meantime, they continue to fight and they continue to kill people which is very stupid,” President Trump said.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Moscow of stalling peace talks and continuing “massive attacks” on civilians, highlighting the ongoing human cost of the conflict.

For local festival attendees, these developments are deeply personal. Many residents of Jacksonville’s Ukrainian community have family and friends still in Ukraine, making every headline feel close to home.

Beyond the headlines, organizers stressed that the festival is about more than politics—it is about sharing Ukrainian culture and traditions.

“There is controversy right now surrounding Ukraine, of course as you know because of the war, and we just want to show that Ukrainian people are kind and welcoming and have a very beautiful culture and cuisine and just who we are as people and we wanted everybody to see that and what a perfect way to do it,” Tetyana Boyevea said, Organizer of Ukraine Festival JAX.

Attendees expressed pride in their culture and gratitude that events like the Ukrainian Art Festival allow them to keep their heritage alive, even as the situation in their home country remains uncertain.

Organizers said the festival also serves as a reminder of the global responsibility to support Ukraine and its citizens, combining cultural celebration with advocacy for peace.