Portland
Rose Festival Foundation Grand Floral Parade Recap
This weekend, DAWN Inc. was honored to participate in the Portland Rose Festival Foundation Grand Floral Parade, representing the strength, spirit, and unity of the Ukrainian community.
In #Ukraine, the red poppy is more than a flower, it is a symbol of shared memory, dignity, and freedom. It honors those who came before and inspires future generations to carry their legacy forward with pride. Carried with love and dignity through the streets of Portland, the poppy connected our past, present, and future.
A heartfelt thank-you to Inna Kovtun, whose voice carried more than melody, you echoed the voice of our ancestors, the voice of freedom, and the voice of a people who refuse to be silenced. Your singing held the soul of Ukraine.
Deep gratitude to Valentina Pishchanskaya-Cayanan, who provided steady leadership and seamless coordination to make DAWN’s participation possible.
The gorgeous red poppies that created such a powerful visual were handcrafted by volunteers under the talented guidance of Alvetyna Semeno.
John Rudoff, thank you for documenting the day with much care. Your images preserve not only moments, but the meaning behind them.
We were proud to stand in solidarity with Ukraine, uplift our heritage, and walk together in resilience and determination
All images are by John Rudoff, used with permission.
