Today, the Netherlands celebrates Koningsdag - a tribute not only to the royal family, but to the spirit of the Dutch people. A celebration that lives in the heart of every single citizen.

As I walk my road toward missukraine_universe and Miss Universe itself, I know:
This pageant and platform is so much also about the legacy, which means not only how we look or what we achieve, but what’s left after we walk out of the room, contest or life.
Legacy is about what runs through our veins.

In my case, it is about the love, pride and respect we carry - for our roots, for the people around us and for the world we share together.

It has always meant embracing and honoring my Ukrainian heritage and identity with pride, while respecting the country that became my other homeland, without erasing the beauty of other cultures.

All who knows me, also know how proud I am of my origins, while at the same time building bridges - across cultures, generations and communities. I always speak out of respect for one’s nationality and religion. Seeing the beauty of the human or organization itself.
Of course, sometimes it is challenged - sometimes, bridges cannot be rebuilt after being fully bombed…
But still, I always look in the direction where connection is possible.
This journey started long ago, as a 8yo girl traveling abroad for the first time for a world dance championship.
I remember seeing people in front of the lake Balaton in Hungary where we’ve made a stop - walking hand in hand, no matter what age and nationality that was, wearing all white - I saw that, kept in mind through my life and realized:
The beauty is both outside - in the colorful world we live in -
And also inside - in the honor we carry for our roots and identity, love to the world.
(And for the record: that trip, we took ninth place in the world.)

Today, I want to thank the Netherlands for being the fatherland of my children and one of the homes to me.
I want to thank my Dutch friends, community and all of you who show heart, support and solidarity - not only to me, but also to Ukraine.
Fijne Koningsdag! 🧡🇺🇦🇳🇱🌍