Society

Lights in the Council Chambers mark Ukrainian Independence Day

  • Porto.

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Last night, Porto City Hall joined the celebration of Ukraine’s Independence Day, by lighting the Council Chambers’ building in blue and yellow, the national colours of the country.

The initiative, which brought together dozens of people in Praça do General Humberto Delgado, marked the 31st anniversary of the declaration of independence of Ukraine, which took place on August 24th, 1991. This event resulted as a response to the challenge posed by the Ukrainian Consul Alina Ponomarenko, considering the ongoing war.

This symbolic gesture was intended to remind the world of the Ukrainian’s people heroic fight against Russian aggression, as well as Ukraine’s need of international support in this endeavour and protection of its sovereignty and independence.

Currently abroad, the Mayor of Porto left a message that was read at the entrance of the Council Chambers by the Vice Mayor: “This war’s greatest victim is the Ukrainian people, whose suffering deserves Porto City Hall’s utmost solidarity”. “As always, we stand with Ukraine against the Russian invader and we will continue to support its people, to whom we wish strength and courage,” read Filipe Araújo.

Similarly to Porto, the municipalities of Matosinhos and Vila Nova de Gaia, - which helped create the We Are All Ukraine campaign – have also joined the initiative: Matosinhos has lit up Anémona and Teatro Constantino Nery, while Gaia lighted the Council Chambers.

Through the We Are All Ukraine campaign, the three municipalities of the Atlantic Front have been able to raise donations and humanitarian aid for people who have been affected by the conflict, as well as housing offers for Ukrainian refugees arriving the country.

Rui Moreira’s message on this particularly significant Independence Day emphasised that “this war concerns us for it is an outrageous attack on the set of values that are dear to our country and to the city of Porto: freedom, tolerance, democracy, law and humanitarianism.”