Hundreds of people joined the peaceful event in the city of Belfast, 23 February, starting at 15:00, at The Belfast City Hall to mark 3rd anniversary of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Our goals were:
– to commemorate three years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine;
– to raise awareness about the ongoing war and remind people that it is far from over;
– to raise funds to purchase an ambulance to send to Ukraine;
– to honour and remember, with a moment of silence and candlelight, the Ukrainians and all fighters for peace who have lost their lives.
– emphasize on the topic of continuous genocide of Ukrainians in every occupied city and village;
– draw attention to the deaths of the civilian population, including innocent children, women, and the elderly.
– to express our gratitude to the people of Northern Ireland for their hospitality and support.
Most of the participants of the event were forcibly temporarily displaced Ukrainians – mostly women with children. Also many residents of the Northern Ireland joined to this event.
The event included:
- Singing of the Ukrainian national anthem.
- Speeches by several speakers sharing their thoughts and updates about Ukraine.
- Stories displayed on posters, including some highlighting children killed in the war.
- Updates on the current situation in Ukraine, as it is not always widely covered in the media.
- Posters about children killed by Russia
Thanks to the speakers:
* Cllr Micky Murray – Lord Mayor of Belfast.
* Alan Moore OBE TD DL – Honorary Consul for Ukraine in Northern Ireland.
* Natalia Lapina (Kharkiv), Alisa Lymanska (Kramatorsk), Natalia Tikhonova (Kyiv), Yulia Horodnycha, Santa Poshtarenko – volunteers, forcibly temporarily displaced Ukrainian women;
* John Finucane MP.
* Peter McReynolds MLA.
* Professor Gerard McCann, PhD MA MEd FHEA, Principal Lecturer, International Coordinator, St Mary’s University College, Queen’s University Belfast.
* Jerome Mullen – Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Northern Ireland
* Peter Jennings – Ukrainian Aid, Derry/Londonderry.
* Oleg Shenkaruk – The Chairman of the Ukrainians in Northern Ireland Charity.
All speakers made their contribution to help Ukraine in 2022-2025 and continue to help us, for which we are infinitely grateful!
Special thanks to those who helped with this event:
* PSNI (Police service of Northern Ireland);
* Administration of Belfast City Council;
* Dawson Stelfox MBE DL representing HM Lord Lieutenant for Belfast;
* journalists who provided the media coverage;
* photographers: Alisa Lymanska Photography; Lyman Sky Videography; Viktor Bormotov;
* Memorial platform Меморіал: вбиті росією
* Keith Farnsworth – Specialist in sound for speech and music events in Northern Ireland – kdfsound.co.uk
* Milosz Stopka – StopCar Transport
* members of Ukrainians in Northern Ireland Charity;
* volunteers who help to provide this event;
* everyone who joined and supported the peaceful event.
Thank you Northern Ireland!
Together we will win!
Glory to Ukraine!
Glory to all of you!
(* With the support of the Consulate of Ukraine in Edinburgh and the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Northern Ireland.)
