Façade of the City Hall illuminated with the colors of the Ukrainian flag

The façade of the Council Chambers was lit with the colors of the Ukrainian flag, a public expression of solidarity with the people of that country. The Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, also wrote to his counterpart in Kharkiv, expressing his personal support and that of the people of Porto.

“On behalf of myself and the citizens of Porto, I want to tell you, Mr Mayor, that we are united. I strongly condemn this violation of international Law and express full solidarity with the state, our sister city of Kharkiv, and the people of Ukraine”, you can read in the letter that Rui Moreira addressed to his counterpart in the Ukrainian city, Ihor Terekhov.

“It is shocking that, in 2022, protecting our lives from war is such a present fear” the Mayor stresses, adding: “This letter serves the purpose of sending you our most sincere, constant and permanent support”.

As the “city of freedom”, Porto symbolically joined other cities around the world that have also expressed their solidarity with Ukraine. Thus, the façade of Porto City Hall was lit, this time, in shades of blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

Hundreds of Ukrainians living in the city were present, promoting a spontaneous vigil. On Avenida dos Aliados, the Ukrainian anthem - "Chtche ne vmerla Ukraini" ("Ukraine is not dead yet") – was heard, in a moment of great emotion, among those present, many of whom where also Porto inhabitants who wanted to join the vigil.

In addition to Porto and Lisbon, also the Brandenburg Gate, in Berlin (Germany); the façade of Downing Street, in London, (United Kingdom); and Flinders railway station, in Melbourne (Australia) are some of the monuments lit up in solidarity with the Ukrainian people.