This annual celebration probably has special significance this year. The city of Kyiv is 1540 years old, but there has only been a “birthday party” for the city for the past 40 years. At least, that’s what Wikipedia says, and who am I to doubt such an authority? And as for Kyiv versus Moscow? Really no comparison…

I remember seeing this comparison from sometime ago, well before the current conflict. Most likely during the 2014 invasion, though I don’t remember the context. (Kyiv wasn’t threatened then and I don’t recall Russian rhetoric about Ukraine never historically existing.)

Viktoria and I were actually in Kyiv during their Day of the City celebrations in, I think, 2013. Just happened by chance, because I didn’t know it existed and Viktoria didn’t know what day it would have been. (Mariupol’s City Day yes, Kyiv’s no.) I know I’ve got some really bad pictures of hot air balloons that were in the square in front of St. Michael’s Cathedral and I’ll try to post one below. That’s where the taxi had to drop us off because the crowds of people (and blocked off streets) made it impossible to get any closer to the apartment we’d rented. I recall that there were events going on for two or three days after that, though I don’t really know if they were all connected to Kyiv Day or not. Whatever the reason, that was my first extended time in Kyiv, and the first trip Viktoria and I took together, so it holds a special place in my heart and memories.