3 minute read
A Poignant Event for Ukraine
A Poignant Event for Ukraine
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
It was a time to think about the strength and courage of 730 days of Ukrainian resistance when the Vegreville branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and Vegreville and Area Stands With Ukraine (VSWU) presented an indoor Candlelight Vigil to 100 attendees at Vegreville Cultural Association.
Natalia Toroshenko, Director on the Alberta Provincial Council of the UCC and Chair of VSWU, welcomed everyone. “We gather here tonight February 24, 2024, to honour Ukraine and our Ukrainian brothers and sisters on this solemn commemoration of the day two years ago when Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. We stand together to carry the light of hope to demonstrate to the world that the Community of Vegreville, Alberta honours those who have been most deeply affected by the war; the people of Ukraine who continue to live in their homeland, members of the armed forces and territorial defense forces units, and millions of Internally Displaced People (IDP) and millions of Ukrainians who have been forced to flee their beloved country in search of a safe haven elsewhere in the world.
Thousands of Ukrainians have lost their lives including many innocent women and children.”
After this, there was a video feed where attendees were able to communicate in real-time with a front-line soldier, a member of the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Gen. Marko Bezruchko. At this time, the Ukrainian Armed Forces member said how grateful they were for all the support Canada has given them. This soldier is a cousin of Oleksandr Dzyha who coordinated the video feed in Ukrainian.
Yuliia Kalutska translated into English Oleksandr's questions as well as the soldier's responses.
After this, Maria Kravchenko, a girl who arrived in Vegreville with her family in October 2023 and is a Grade eight student at Vegreville Composite High School spoke about her experiences in Ukraine a few months before she came to Canada and how happy she is to be safe over here.
Attendee Georgina Frankiw mentioned that she stands in solidarity with Ukraine and prays for them so that this war would end. “An event like this shows that we need to continue to support the people in Ukraine and the Ukrainian newcomers who come to Canada. They are very appreciative of everything we do.”
In a press release on February 24, 2024, from the Alberta Government, Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan/Vegreville and Parliamentary Secretary for Settlement Services and Ukrainian Evacuees stated, “Two years ago, the world grieved as Russia launched an unprovoked attack against Ukraine – a full-scale humanitarian crisis that continues to this day. Today and every day, our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine.
Many brave Ukrainians have died defending their country, democracy, freedom, and their way of life. Millions of others are displaced, their lives forever changed.
Since the war began, Alberta has welcomed more than 51,000 Ukrainian evacuees into 206 communities across our province. They have become our friends and neighbours and are now part of the tapestry that weaves together the fabric of our society.”
In a Press Release for the Government of Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed a deal in Kyiv on February 24, 2024, committing Canada to a $3.02 billion security assistance package for Ukraine.
