Celebrating Ukraine’s Cultural Heritage
At Spotlight Ukraine, we are dedicated to sharing stories that illuminate the beauty, depth, and resilience of Ukrainian culture. In this time of war, preserving cultural identity is more critical than ever. With Ukrainian cultural landmarks, traditions, and heritage under attack, amplifying these stories to the world has never been more urgent. That’s why we’re thrilled to share this story on how Bells.org is spotlighting Ukraine during the National Bell Festival—a powerful gesture of solidarity and a celebration of a culture that refuses to be silenced.
Bells.org: Preserving History and Building Community
Founded by Paul Ashe, Bells.org and its signature National Bell Festival were created to revive the beauty and significance of bell-ringing traditions. Paul’s passion for bells stems from their unique role in connecting communities.
Bells are the fulcrum of a community—when they ring, people gather. Whether it’s to celebrate a wedding, mourn a loss, or respond to war, bells bring us together.
Six years ago, Bells.org launched the National Bell Festival, ensuring the rich traditions associated with bells endure for generations. It’s also an opportunity to celebrate historic bells and commission new ones. Today, Bells.org is at the forefront of restoring historic bells, supporting bell artisans, and creating new cultural landmarks. Their work includes:
- Restoring Historic Bells: From the Georgetown Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C., to bells across the United States, Bells.org has saved cherished pieces of history.
- Commissioning New Bells: Projects like the Emancipation Bells, a 65-bell tower honoring abolitionists, and the U.S. Semi-Quincentennial Bell, marking 250 years of women’s contributions to American history, highlight Bells.org’s commitment to cultural storytelling.
- Bringing the World Together: The National Bell Festival encourages communities worldwide to ring bells on New Year’s Day, fostering connection and unity.
“We want people to ring in the New Year together, pausing to meet with friends and neighbors, sipping cocoa together, and enjoying a sense of togetherness,” Paul explained.
The National Bell Festival: A Global Celebration
Held every New Year’s Day, the National Bell Festival is a global event that invites everyone—from carillonneurs to community groups—to ring bells to celebrate hope, renewal, and connection. Whether it’s a grand bell tower or a simple handbell, each chime creates a collective moment of celebration and reflection.
“Bells are timeless. They’re the soundtrack of our lives, grounding us in community. No matter who you are or where you live, the sound of bells is something we all share,” Paul said.
This year, special events will take place across Washington, D.C., including a blessing at the Washington National Cathedral and the unveiling of the Litter Bell, created from recycled materials as a call to environmental stewardship. Across the globe, from Italy to Antarctica, bells will ring in unison to mark the start of a hopeful New Year.
Announcing The 2024 Festival’s Spotlight Country
Every year, the National Bell Festival spotlights a country to honor its bell-making traditions and cultural contributions. For 2025, the spotlight shines on Ukraine—a choice that feels both poignant and necessary. Ukraine’s cultural heritage has faced devastating losses during the ongoing war, making this celebration a gesture of solidarity and preservation.
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has verified the staggering toll of the ongoing war on Ukraine’s cultural heritage, documenting 468 damaged sites—including religious landmarks, monuments, museums, libraries, and more. This devastating list continues to grow as Russia’s invasion deliberately targets the cherished symbols of Ukraine’s rich history and culture. (Read UNESCO’s full assessment and regional breakdown here.) In light of this destruction, the decision of Bells.org to spotlight Ukraine resonates deeply. It serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of Ukrainian culture and the importance of preserving its traditions, even in the face of relentless efforts to erase them.
“We chose Ukraine because its cultural landmarks—including its historic bells—are under attack. Bells are symbols of peace and unity. What better way to honor Ukraine than by transforming weapons of war into instruments of hope?” Paul shared.
Unveiling the Solidarity Bell
A highlight of this year’s festival is the “Solidarity Bell,” created from melted-down bullet casings from the ongoing war. This extraordinary bell, cast by the renowned Royal Eijsbouts Bell Foundry in the Netherlands, carries profound symbolism.
The bell’s façade is adorned with Ukrainian tridents, a national emblem of Ukraine. The Tryzub represents strength, freedom, and the enduring spirit of the Ukrainian people—a symbol deeply tied to the country’s cultural identity.
Engraved on the Solidarity Bell is Ukraine’s battle cry, “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!” (Слава Україні! Героям слава!). These words are more than just slogans; they are powerful calls of unity and defiance, deeply ingrained in Ukrainian national identity and resilience. First emerging during Ukraine’s struggle for independence in the early 20th century, the phrase has gained renewed significance during pivotal moments in the country’s history, including the Maidan Revolution and the ongoing war. They serve as enduring reminders of the sacrifices made for freedom and peace.
The bell also features a quote by Taras Shevchenko, a celebrated Ukrainian poet, artist, humanist, folklorist, and prominent advocate of Ukrainian freedom and culture: “Truth will triumph! Freedom will arise!” Shevchenko’s literary works are considered the foundation of modern Ukrainian literature, and the themes of his writing—focused on justice, resilience, and the fight for freedom—remain profoundly relevant today. (Click here to read our previous blog on Taras Shevchenko and his enduring impact.)
The Solidarity Bell will tour Washington, D.C., where it will be displayed, honored, and blessed at three Ukrainian churches and congregations, including Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic Churches. A special ceremony will take place at the Washington National Cathedral on New Year’s Day, underscoring the bell’s powerful message of solidarity.
Spotlight on Ukraine: Bells That Tell Stories
Ukraine is home to many significant bells, deeply intertwined with its cultural and historical identity. The bells of Ukraine are more than instruments; they are storytellers, witnesses to faith, tragedy, and resilience. Each bell carries a unique history, shaped by the communities they have served. Interestingly, the world-famous Christmas song Carol of the Bells originated in Ukraine. Known as Shchedryk in Ukrainian, it was composed by Mykola Leontovych, a renowned Ukrainian composer, choral conductor, and teacher, celebrated for his adaptations of Ukrainian folk music and inspired by an ancient folk chant. (Click this link to watch the video of the untold story of “Carol of the Bells,” posted by Ukrainer.)
Here are just a few of Ukraine’s historic bells featured on the bells.org 2024 National Bell Festival web page:
Chernobyl Liquidators Bell (below) honors the first responders who were called to clean and stabilize the radioactive exclusion zone in the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. This bell stands as a solemn tribute to courage and sacrifice.
Photo licensed through Shutterstock.
Bell at Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (shown below left) is crowned in tetramorph canons representing the four Evangelists and adorned with intricate religious iconography. This bell hangs in the iconic belfry of Kyiv’s historic cave monastery, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
The Memorial Bell (shown below right) is installed on the site of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. This bell tolls in remembrance of members of the Armed Forces who were lost in battles for Ukraine or while serving in peacekeeping missions. It is a powerful symbol of sacrifice and honor.
Memorial Bell photo shown right is licensed through Shutterstock.
The Bell of Chersonesos (below), cast in 1778 from Turkish trophy cannons, has had an extraordinary journey. Spirited to Paris after the Crimean War and hung in Notre-Dame, it was later repatriated to Ukraine to serve a monastery before being repurposed as a fog signal near the Black Sea.
Photo licensed through Shutterstock.
Festival Artist: Natalia Didenko
Each year, Bells.org selects an official festival artist to create a work of art that reflects the spirit and theme of the event. For 2025, the festival has selected Ukrainian artist Natalia Didenko, whose extraordinary work highlights Ukraine’s rich artistic traditions and enduring cultural resilience.
Natalia is a master of vytynanky, a centuries-old Ukrainian art form of papercutting that combines precision, patience, and creativity. Emerging in the 17th century as decorative seals for clerical documents, vytynanky evolved into intricate adornments for homes and celebrations, inspired by motifs of nature, religion, and folklore. Delicate shapes of flora, fauna, and celestial forms are cut from colored or white paper, creating breathtaking patterns of lace-like silhouettes.
Born in Kyiv, Natalia continues her creative work from Lithuania while Russia’s invasion of Ukraine persists. Her artistry extends beyond vytynanky to include abstract sculpture, graphic art, and book design, making her a versatile and celebrated figure in Ukrainian art. She is also the author of several books for children and adults, where her illustrative storytelling further shines.
For this year’s festival, Natalia has created a powerful and symbolic piece: a striking papercut artwork featuring a bell shattering into the background. The work reflects themes of destruction and resilience, echoing the war’s impact on Ukraine while honoring the enduring strength of its people and culture. “Her art reminds us of Ukraine’s beauty, resilience, and traditions. It perfectly represents what this year’s festival is all about,” Paul Ashe said. Below is the unique artwork Natalia has created for this year’s festival.
Join the Celebration: Ring Bells for Ukraine
The National Bell Festival invites everyone—from churches and community groups to individuals with small handbells—to ring in the New Year and honor Ukraine. On January 1, let the sound of bells carry a message of hope and solidarity around the globe. Each chime is a call to remember Ukraine’s heritage, honor its people, and stand together to preserve its cultural identity.
Read more about this year’s National Bell Festival here: https://www.bells.org/ukraine
The Bells Will Ring On
The National Bell Festival’s spotlight on Ukraine is a testament to the power of sound, story, and solidarity. From Kyiv’s sacred bell towers to Lviv’s churches, Ukraine’s bells are voices of resilience that will not be silenced.
As bells across the world ring on New Year’s Day, they remind us that Ukraine’s fight to preserve its sovereignty and its rich cultural heritage is worth fighting for. Let us honor these bells, their stories, and the enduring spirit of a nation.