September 3, 2026 Holiday — Shostka Day: How Old Is the City and How Is It Celebrated?
Every year on September 3, Shostka in the Sumy region celebrates City Day. In 2026, the city will mark its 287th anniversary, counting from its traditional founding date of 1739. For Shostka, this day is associated not only with the history of its founding but also with the city’s liberation from Nazi invaders in 1943.
Shostka City Day falls on September 3 every year. In 2026, this date will be a Thursday. Traditionally, on this day, the city commemorates its history, the people who built it, and the events that have had a profound impact on the life of the community. The year 1739 is considered the starting point for the history of modern Shostka. It was then that construction began on a gunpowder factory on the Shostka River, around which a settlement gradually formed. The Shostka City Council refers to 1739 as an important date in the city’s history, and urban planning documents explicitly state that this year is traditionally celebrated as City Day on September 3.
Thus, in 2026, Shostka will celebrate the 287th anniversary of its founding. At the same time, it is worth noting that 1739 is specifically the accepted date of the city’s founding. The history of settlements in the territory of the modern Shostka community dates back much further.
How Shostka Came to Be
The history of this region began long before the city itself came into existence. Archaeological findings indicate that people lived in the area of the modern Shostka community as far back as ancient times. Settlements associated with ancient cultures have been discovered within the community’s territory, and settlements gradually emerged near rivers and in areas suitable for habitation.
The first written references to the lands associated with what would become Shostka date back to the 17th century. In 1670, a decree issued by Hetman Ivan Samoilovich mentions the Shostka River and a mill on it. In 1688, Hetman Ivan Mazepa also issued a decree regarding the construction of a mill on the Shostka River. This indicates that the area had been settled long before the emergence of an industrial settlement.
The year 1739 marked a turning point. At that time, the dam and mill on the Shostka River were transferred for the establishment of a gunpowder production facility. The new enterprise was intended to supply gunpowder to the Cossack regiments of Left-Bank Ukraine. Gradually, a settlement of workers, soldiers, craftsmen, and others involved in production sprang up around the factory. It was the development of this factory that ultimately spurred the transformation of the small settlement into a city.
By 1742, the factory already occupied a significant area, and streets and a factory settlement were developing around it. Later, the enterprise became one of the region’s key industrial facilities. In the 19th century, production expanded, and Shostka gradually evolved into a prominent industrial center.
Why City Day Is Celebrated on September 3
There is another very important reason for this date in Shostka. On September 3, 1943, the city was liberated from Nazi invaders during World War II. For this reason, City Day is traditionally combined with the commemoration of this event. This combination has shaped the holiday’s unique character. It is not just a day of concerts, fairs, and entertainment. For Shostka, September 3 is also an opportunity to remember those who died during the war and those who fought for the city’s liberation. In previous years, flowers were laid at monuments and mass graves, commemorative events were held, and the fallen were remembered.
In 2025, for example, on City Day in Shostka, the fallen Ukrainian defenders were honored separately. That year marked the 286th anniversary of the city’s founding and the 83rd anniversary of its liberation from Nazi occupation. Government officials and members of the public laid flowers in memory of the soldiers who died for Ukraine’s freedom.
As a result, Shostka Day today encompasses several important themes: the city’s history, remembrance of World War II, and honoring Ukraine’s modern defenders. For residents, it is an opportunity to reflect on the past while also discussing their vision for the city’s future.
How Shostka Traditionally Celebrated City Day
In peacetime, Shostka Day was usually a bustling affair. In the city center, officials organized ceremonies, concerts, fairs, exhibitions, and sporting events. The streets were filled with residents, and businesses, schools, cultural institutions, and civic organizations all joined in the celebrations.
One of the traditions was festive parades. Participants included factory workers, educators, schoolchildren, representatives of civic organizations, military personnel, and artistic groups. These parades wound through the city’s main streets and drew large crowds.
Another popular part of the program was Ukrainian village festivals and fairs. Representatives from communities in the Shostka District showcased local traditions, folk crafts, dishes, and songs. For guests, this was an opportunity not only to watch a concert but also to get to know the region’s culture.
Over the years, the festival has featured exhibitions by folk artists, sports competitions, children’s programs, and contests. Entertainment and attractions were organized for children. There were also parades of vyshyvankas, brass band performances, concerts, and other cultural events.
For example, the 2019 program included a literary and arts festival, children’s events, a beauty pageant for young ladies, a vyshyvanka parade, a brass band performance, concerts by Ukrainian bands, and a festive fireworks display. At that time, the city was also celebrating its 280th anniversary. In 2018, communities in the Shostka District also joined the celebrations. A parade took place on the main street, and the “Ukrainian Courtyard” was open, where visitors could see crafts by folk artists, listen to Ukrainian songs, and sample traditional dishes.
How the Celebration Changed During the War
After the start of the full-scale invasion, the format of City Day changed. Instead of large concerts and mass entertainment, Shostka began to focus on safety, remembrance, and charity. In 2023, for example, there were no large-scale celebrations. Instead, the city organized charity events in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Events were held at the Center for Aesthetic Education and the Children’s School of Arts to raise funds for Ukrainian soldiers. In particular, a charity fair helped raise money for a quadcopter for the defenders.
In 2024, the format was also much more subdued. The city hosted a street food festival, but due to security concerns, it was organized simultaneously at 10 different locations across various districts of Shostka. People were treated to field porridge, homemade baked goods, and beverages. Municipal institutions, including kindergartens and after-school programs, joined in organizing the event.
In 2025, the main focus was once again on honoring the memory of the fallen defenders. Government officials and community members honored the soldiers who gave their lives for Ukraine’s freedom and independence. As a result, Shostka Day today looks different than it did before the full-scale war. Loud concerts, fireworks, and large public events have taken a back seat. Instead, safety, support for the military, charitable initiatives, and remembrance of the fallen have taken precedence.
Interesting Facts About Shostka
Shostka has an interesting feature: the city’s history literally grew up around an industrial enterprise. It was the gunpowder factory, established in 1739, that became the foundation for the settlement’s development. In the 18th century, it produced gunpowder for military needs, and later the enterprise expanded its production. In the *Encyclopedia of the History of Ukraine*, the Shostka State Gunpowder Factory is listed as one of the most powerful enterprises in the Russian Empire for the production of explosives and ammunition.
Another interesting fact is connected with the Shostka River. It was right along its banks that production began, giving impetus to the development of the future city. Even before the factory was built, mills operated on the river, as documented in written records from the 17th century.
The Shostka region is also associated with famous Ukrainian figures. Panteleimon Kulish—a writer, translator, historian, and author of *The Black Council*—was born near the city in 1819. He is also known as the creator of the Ukrainian orthographic system known as “Kulishivka.”
Shostka is also associated with the outstanding fighter pilot Ivan Kozhedub. The city still has a museum dedicated to him, and Kozhedub has repeatedly been featured in festive and cultural events. During the celebrations marking Shostka’s 280th anniversary in 2019, actors even portrayed historical figures associated with the Shostka region, including Kozhedub and Panteleimon Kulish.
Another historical landmark of the city is the Church of the Nativity of Christ, whose construction began in the 18th century. It was built with donations from workers and civil servants, and construction was completed in 1785. The church has survived to this day and is one of Shostka’s oldest landmarks.
What to Wish for Shostka on City Day
City Day is, first and foremost, not just a date on the calendar, but an opportunity to reflect on how the community was formed and what it has had to endure. For Shostka, September 3 is also particularly significant because it commemorates the city’s liberation in 1943. Today, this history has been enriched by the memory of Ukrainian soldiers who are defending the city and the entire country during a full-scale war.
On this day, residents can honor the fallen defenders, support local charitable initiatives, help the military, or simply spend time with loved ones. In previous years, it was precisely these kinds of events that became part of the celebrations amid the war.
Shostka is marking its 287th year with a completely different understanding of the word “celebration.” It doesn’t necessarily mean a big concert or loud entertainment. It’s an opportunity to say a few simple words about one’s city, to reflect on its history and the people who have shaped—and continue to shape—it into what it is today.
