"Warriors of Goodness": How Rzeszów and Kharkiv Region Residents United the Hearts of Ukrainians, Poles, and Lithuanians

Traditionally, on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine, the picturesque Papal Park hosted DIM FEST—a large-scale intercultural festival organized by the "UKRAIŃSKI DIM – DOM INTEGRACJI MIĘDZYNARODOWEJ" foundation.

The location added a profound symbolism: the park was established on the sacred grounds where Pope John Paul II delivered a historic mass during his 1991 pilgrimage, and along the "Avenue of the Papal Message," his timeless calls for unity and brotherhood continue to resonate.

It is particularly heartening that Kharkiv region residents played a key role in this celebration of unity. The true soul and inspiration of the event was our fellow countrywoman—Associate Professor at NTU "KhPI" and board member of the foundation, Svitlana Osipova.

Thanks to her energy and the joint efforts of the organizers, the park was filled with Ukrainian music, traditions, and that special feeling of unity that can only be felt with the heart.

An important part of this celebration was the participation of the All-Ukrainian Public Organization "Warriors of Goodness", headed by another prominent Kharkiv resident—Honored Worker of Industry of Ukraine, Olexandr Kryvokon. He personally presented specially established "Warrior of Goodness" awards to figures from European countries who, throughout all these difficult years, have remained a reliable rear for our state.

– "It was no coincidence that we chose Rzeszów for this charitable initiative," shares Olexandr Kryvokon. "It is a powerful hub of international assistance for war-torn Ukraine.

And the festival itself, organized with the inspiring participation of our Kharkiv native Svitlana Osipova, is genuine people's diplomacy that brings nations together and inspires optimism. I am convinced that any negativity in Polish-Ukrainian relations is artificially fueled hype on social media. In reality, real life and such encounters prove the opposite."

• Dariusz Bobak — President of Fundacja Humanitarna Folkowisko, coordinator of humanitarian missions, and expert in crisis response;

• Krzysztof Bień — Founder of CEETCO Sp. z o.o. (Warsaw), who made a significant contribution to strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities;

• Marcin Piotrowski — President of Stowarzyszenie Folkowisko, sociologist, and initiator of numerous cultural and humanitarian projects;

• Dr. Stanislaw Mazur — Cardiologist, founder, and President of Centrum Medyczne Medyk in Rzeszów.

Vyacheslav Vasylko — Founder of the Charitable Organization "Charity Foundation 'REBUILDING THE UKRAINE OF THE FUTURE'", veteran and demobilized personnel support specialist, and member of a volunteer territorial community unit.

Simple yet most crucial words echoed from the stage: "I want to wish Ukraine freedom, independence, and our victory. Glory to Ukraine!" addressed Olexandr Kryvokon to the attendees.

The relay of honoring international friends of Ukraine extended beyond Poland and continued in Lithuania during the grand sports and cultural event Rotariada. This year, a delegation of 30 Ukrainian Rotarians and veterans traveled to Lithuania, led by Mykola Ovcharenko—a Paralympics medalist, founder of the Museum of Defenders of Ukraine, and representative of the Rotary Club "Kharkiv-City". Ukrainian defenders participated in sports competitions, proudly representing our state on the international stage.

It was during the solemn ceremonies at Rotariada that the prestigious "Warrior of Goodness" awards were presented to Lithuanian partners whose assistance is invaluable:

• Andrius Barniškis — Governor of Lithuanian Rotary District 1462 (2026–2027) and one of the Rotary leaders in Lithuania;
• Aidas Gaudiešius — Entrepreneur and active participant in humanitarian initiatives of Tauragės Rotary Klubas;
• Vytautas Damulevičius — Volunteer, curator of humanitarian missions, and member of Klaipėdos Senamiesčio Rotary klubas;
• Andrejus Geraščenko and Danas Suodaitis — Representatives of the Lithuanian Rotary community who have been building international partnerships to help Ukraine for years.

The relay of unity in those days also embraced the Polish capital. Olexandr Kryvokon was personally present at the annual rally in Castle Square in Warsaw—and those impressions, in his words, remained etched in his memory forever.

– It is hard to imagine a stronger impression! At least 100 thousand people gathered in the square—a grand sea of support," says Olexandr Kryvokon. "Among this crowd of thousands, I noticed only one man standing to the side with a small sign about the Volhynia tragedy. And what is most telling—no one hindered him; the police simply observed calmly nearby to prevent provocations. This was an absolute minority against the backdrop of immense unity.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with thousands of Ukrainians that day were high-ranking officials and prominent figures: Minister of Justice of Poland Waldemar Żurek, Deputy Minister of Education and Science Andrzej Szeptycki, Ambassador of Ukraine Vasyl Bodnar, distinguished actor Andrzej Seweryn, musician Krzysztof Zalewski, nun Małgorzata Chmielewska, Sejm Deputy Dorota Łoboda, as well as numerous Polish and Belarusian volunteers.

Such live encounters, joint festivals, personal experiences, and warm embraces persuade better than any news: true friendship between nations rests on concrete actions, while Kharkiv's resilience and activity are capable of uniting the entire world!

Thank you to every "Warrior of Goodness" who brings our common Victory closer!

More illustrations in the Ukrainian original.