On Ukraine’s Day of Remembrance, Restaurants Reserve Tables to Honor Fallen Defenders

On August 29, Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine, the "Memory Table" campaign is taking place. In participating restaurants and establishments, one table is reserved for the entire day in honor of the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

The initiative is led by the Illia Hrabar Memorial Fund, which honors Ukrainian soldier who died near Bakhmut, and the "Memorial" memory platform.

"The tradition of setting a Memory Table has American origins but is also familiar to Ukrainians, who have customs of setting a place for deceased relatives," Maria Hrabar, the organizer of the event, explains.

"The mission of Memorial is to foster a culture of compassion and support, and a new culture of remembrance, so that those whose loved ones have fallen in the war do not face their grief alone. As stated on the plaque for the Memory Table: 'Let us embrace those who carry the burden of loss in their souls.' We embraced Maria’s initiative because it aligns closely with our values," says Yulia Lozynska, Editor-in-Chief of Memorial.

The organizers provide guidance on setting up the table, as well as a postcard and plaque to honor the hero. Staff members can write the name of the fallen and add a photo, and visitors are also encouraged to contribute.

The restaurants participate not only in Ukraine but also in the Czech Republic, Poland, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Sweden.

On August 29th, Ukraine commemorates Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine. This day honors the military personnel and volunteers who sacrificed their lives defending Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The sunflower is a symbolic flower for this day, as many Ukrainian soldiers fell amidst sunflower fields in August 2014, when Russia invaded eastern Ukraine.