Ukrainians across the globe marked Unity Day by forming symbolic human chains of solidarity in major cities across Europe, the U.S., Canada, Australia, and other countries. The gesture represented the unwavering unity of the Ukrainian people.
“Today, more than ever, Ukrainians deeply understand the value of unity and solidarity,” the Ukrainian Community in the United Arab Emirates said.
This year, a 30-meter Ukrainian flag was unfurled for the first time on Ottawa’s Rideau Canal, the world’s longest skating rink, to commemorate Unity Day.
In Lebanon, Ukrainians formed a virtual chain of unity by taking pictures of themselves and then combined them to visually look as if they were holding each other’s hands.
In Poland’s capital of Warsaw, Ukrainians assembled at the Taras Shevchenko monument. Meanwhile, Ukrainian flags were prominently displayed in Paris, Porto, Edinburgh, Leipzig, and dozens of other cities, forming live chains of unity.
“Unity is the strength of the Ukrainian people! No matter where we are or how far apart, we are united in heart and purpose,” wrote the Ukrainian community in South Africa.
The celebration of this Ukrainian national holiday took place in dozens of countries, with some regions planning events for the upcoming weekend.
Volodymyr Kogutyak, UWC Vice President for Western Europe and Association of Ukrainians in France (AUF) Vice President, and Chair of the UWC Advocacy Committee, gave an interview to Ukrainian media before the Unity Day event in Paris.
He said that on Jan. 11, the Ukrainian World Congress launched a major advocacy campaign ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, titled “Stand with Ukraine.”
The campaign aims to remind the world of the ongoing war’s third year and highlight the devastating impact of Russia’s invasion on Ukraine and the global community. It also calls on democratic governments to harness support for Ukraine, increase pressure on Russia to end the war, and restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
The global campaign is supported by the International Center for Ukraine Victory and Communities Army of Ukraine.
You can view the campaign materials through this link.
