On August 24, Ukraine’s Independence Day, Haag Atletiek filled with nearly a thousand runners moving side by side. Yet this was more than a race. Every step carried meaning – an act of remembrance and gratitude. United across ages and backgrounds, 1000 participants ran in memory of civilians killed, in protest against the occupied and destroyed cities of Ukraine, and in honor of the defenders who gave their lives protecting the country from russian aggression.
For VATAHA, the Run for Ukraine has become one of the most heartfelt annual traditions. This year it held particular weight, taking place on Ukraine’s Independence Day itself – a day marking 34 years of freedom, resilience, and an ongoing fight for survival.
The roots of this initiative reach back to 2018, when the father of a fallen Ukrainian soldier founded a memorial run on the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine, August 26. That day is dedicated to honoring those who gave their lives for the country’s independence and sovereignty. Each year, VATAHA continues this tradition in the Netherlands, opening it to Ukrainians as well as Dutch and international friends who stand with Ukraine.
This year, the circle of solidarity grew even wider. Alongside The Hague, the city of Maastricht joined the initiative with its own run, spreading the message of remembrance and support across the Netherlands.
Ready, Steady, Go!
Before the run began, participants were treated to two renditions of the Ukrainian national anthem – a second time after the microphone faltered the first time, but singer Veronika Morska’s voice did not.
Veronika Morska has represented both the Netherlands and Ukraine in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
Runners then heard inspiring words from Defence Attaché of Ukraine to the Netherlands Yurii Herashchenko, Former Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Haag Atletiek President Pierre Heijnen, Mayor of The Hague Jan van Zanen, and Director of the Program Directorate on Ukrainian displaced people Ministry of Migration and Asylum Luuk Leussink.
Each of the aforementioned speakers (depicted from left to right) reaffirmed the Netherlands’ continuous support of Ukraine.
With loud cheers from the crowd, the runners set off, choosing between 2, 5, or 10 kilometers. Whether sprinting, jogging, or walking, each participant became part of the living memorial.
Beyond Running
While running was main focus of the day, cultural and artistic practices remained at the core. At the center of the running track, VATAHA created an arts & culture zone where artists reflected on Ukraine’s struggle for independence and the resilience of its people.
278 obituaries of fallen Ukrainian creatives attracted runners after their run. Photo: Tetiana Hlushko
Dutch photographer and curator Christian van der Kooy once again presented an exhibition commemorating cultural figures who lost their lives during the war, based on the PEN Ukraine monitoring project. Each story reminded visitors that the war is not only destroying lives but also silencing the voices of art, music, and literature.
“I’m just a Dutch guy. I’m not even Ukrainian, but Ukraine needs every small piece of help,” Christian said at the event. “Ukraine needs thousands of these gestures. At first I was fighting the russian force, and I thought, I’m not going to do that anymore. I’m just going to focus on the Ukrainian force.”
Marfa Vasilieva’s Carpet project is aiming for a Guinness World Record.
Some works invited direct participation. Artist Marfa Vasilieva presented her Carpet of Love and Sorrow, an interactive textile artwork that grows as visitors contribute personal stories and reflections on the war by braiding black strands of cloth for lost loved ones, and red strands for those still struggling in Ukraine.
“We are so afraid sometimes to face loss because it is painful,” explained Marfa. “But we never actually realize how much love is in that loss. If we are able to reach this love and meet it, we can open up and even be empowered by it.”
Horlivka featured in the inside of the tent, creating a safe space to explore
Brothers Maksym and Ivan Frolov showed their project Horlivka, landscapes of the occupied city in eastern Ukraine. Their works serve as living memories of what was lost and stolen, keeping the occupied city present in the minds of those far away.
Mayor van Zanen contributed to the Nets of Remembrance artwork.
Visitors could also join the Nets of Remembrance project, commemorating those taken by the full-scale invasion. “Generally, the installation attracted considerable interest from locals, who were especially curious about the feelings behind each participants’ ribbon. Dutch people want to know how Ukrainians are coping with pressure and want to have political discussions,” VATAHA volunteer Vlada Voskobiinyk mentioned.
More than 100 Ukrainian literary works were on display, including Dutch and English translations.
Curated by Nomadische Boekenplank, a literature collection featured personal books from Ihor Sukhorukov and VATAHA’s co-founder, Oksana Savchuk, offering works by Ukrainian authors in Ukrainian, Dutch, and English. Guests could browse, ask questions, and even take home a complete list of recommended literature. Ihor shared that nearly half of his stand’s visitors were Dutch, indicating a rising interest in Ukrainian literature from locals.
Small Activities, Big Impact
Whether two kilometers or ten, after any race it’s time to refuel. VATAHA offered each participant a cup of borshch, traditional Ukrainian beetroot soup. The line grew quickly for the runners to try the borshch, which was prepared the same way soldiers on the Ukrainian front prepare it via freeze-dried packages.
Since 2024, Borshch is inscribed on UNESCO’s list of endangered intangible cultural heritage.
To keep children entertained, the event provided everything from poster drawin to face painting. Our annually returning “Moms” collective of Dutch locals created a space for children play, ensuring families could join the day together.
Connecting Physical & Mental Health
The Run for Ukraine has always been about more than endurance and sport – it is also about collective healing. It is no secret that movement connects body and mind, and Run for Ukraine perfectly embodies this connection. Running together allows one to transform personal grief and struggle into collective action and remembrance, allowing memory to coexist with physical and mental resilience.
A strong turnout from the Empatia team, providing mental health services to displaced Ukrainians.
This year, Empatia by OPORA Foundation led a safe space at Run for Ukraine. Here, participants could pause, reflect, and share their experiences in a safe environment, or just learn more about mental health support options. Read more on collective healing through movement in the article by VATAHA’s social media manager, Sofiia Maior, in discussion with Empatia clinical psychologist Eva Kardash.
Crossing the Finish Line with Wings
One of the traditions that makes the Run for Ukraine so special is that every participant who crosses the finish line receives a medal crafted in Ukraine. This year, the medals were produced in Zaporizhzhia and designed by Ukrainian artist Maria Petrochko. On them are the words of poet Lina Kostenko, whose main verse captured the essence of the day:
They walk the earth, too bound to fly…
Yet wings are theirs to touch the sky!
Not feathers craft these wings of grace,
But truth, and trust, and virtue’s trace.
Runners wore their medals with pride.
Words of Thanks
The Run for Ukraine 2025 was more than an athletic event. It was a day where remembrance met resilience, where culture stood alongside sport, and participants could give meaning to their grief, and find strength in community.
Run for Ukraine 2025 was organized by VATAHA Foundation in partnership with Haag Atletiek and the Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was made possible by Ministry of Asylum and Migration of the Netherlands, and took place in collaboration with EMPATIA Program by OPORA Foundation, Netherlands for Ukraine Foundation and the Lithuanian Youth Association in the Netherlands.
Our special thanks go out to Goodmerch.de, Jamescooks.com.ua, and EHBO in Nederland.
Photo credits: Olha Kyrychenko, Tetiana Hlushko and Lera Manzovitova.
This was VATAHA’s fourth annual Run for Ukraine. Check out our previous editions below: