On August 5, Ukraine’s National Day took place at the EXPO 2025 international exhibition in Japan. The central theme of the day was expressing gratitude to Ukraine’s international partners and allies for their support during the war.
The event was initiated by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and led by the Acting Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, as well as Ukraine’s Chief Commissioner at EXPO 2025, Tetyana Berezhna.
This year’s program brought together over 500 guests from around the world, including Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska and representatives from the governments of Ukraine and Japan.
Addressing the guests, Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska said:
“Today, on our National Day at EXPO, we – the Ukrainian team – wish to dedicate this occasion to gratitude. Our deep gratitude to Japan for the opportunity to be represented here. And our gratitude to Japan and to every country helping us to defend ourselves against the aggressor. We are grateful not only for the assistance but also for the simple human understanding, compassion, and empathy we feel. Gratitude is one of our core values”.
In turn, Tetyana Berezhna, Acting Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications and Ukraine’s Chief Commissioner at EXPO 2025, emphasized:
“For us, EXPO 2025 is a space where we can talk about the war but refuse to let it define our identity. Our ‘Ode of Gratitude’ is a ‘thank you’ to those who have not left us alone. In the pavilion, we are storytellers sharing the narratives that will shape the society of the future. We sincerely thank our partners and the Japanese government for giving Ukraine the chance to speak out loudly — right from Osaka, to a world that today, more than ever, needs unity and mutual support”.
A highlight of Ukraine’s National Day was the premiere of the “Ode of Gratitude” — a musical composition created in collaboration with the creative agency Bickerstaff.734. The piece was performed live for the first time by musician, producer, and composer Mariana Klochko. The official part of the event concluded with a live performance by the Ukrainian band ONUKA.
Following the ceremony, delegations from the governments of Japan, the EU countries, and international organizations visited Ukraine’s pavilion, “Not For Sale”, which has been open at EXPO 2025 since April. At the pavilion, guests explored the special installation “Imported Goods”, dedicated to Ukraine’s foreign friends. It features five new “goods” that continue the theme of gratitude. The installation illustrates how the efforts of individual people become powerful instruments of support. The artifacts honor cultural figures and activists from Japan, the UK, Germany, and Canada, who consistently show solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
In just four months, the Ukrainian pavilion has welcomed over 630,000 visitors and has become one of the most popular spots at the exhibition. The National Day celebrations concluded with an official reception featuring a menu specially created by Ukrainian chef Yevhen Klopotenko. As a sign of solidarity, friendly pavilions illuminated their facades in the colors of the Ukrainian flag and raised blue-and-yellow flags.
