WARSAW, Poland >> Ukrainians in Warsaw jumped over a bonfire and floated braids to honor the vital powers of water and fire on the Vistula River bank Saturday night, as they celebrated their solstice tradition of Ivan Kupalo Night away from war-torn home. Hundreds joined the event, most of them war refugees.

Families came with children and dogs for the relaxed event, which also included a small fair with goods and fried sausages to buy. Some people were wearing traditional embroidered shirts and dresses. Women made and wore flower-and-grain ear braids. Proceeds from the event are to help buy drones for the Ukrainian army battling Russia’s invasion.

“People have come and that is really cool that they have not forgotten our traditions and that we are meeting here, even though it’s in Poland and not in Ukraine,” said festively dressed Anastassia Haydamaka, 20, from the western town of Khmelnytskyi.

— The Associated Press