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PHOTOS A series of events marks Ukraine Independence Day 2023 in Limerick
Ukraine Independence Day 2023 in Limerick included a ceremonial flag raising pictured above at the offices of Limerick City and County Council. Picture: Keith Wiseman
Mayor of Limerick, Gerard Mitchell launched an Art of Ukraine exhibit to celebrate Ukraine Independence Day at the Hunt Museum
On Thursday, August 24, Ukraine Independence Day 2023 was celebrated in Limerick as our Ukrainian friends hosted a cultural extravaganza to showcase the rich and diverse offerings of Ukrainian culture.
This events are a tribute to the craftsmanship and artistry that Ukraine is renowned for, and it was a feast for the senses.
On Thursday, August 24, a ceremonial flag raising event to mark Ukrainian Independence Day was held at the offices of Limerick City and County Council, Merchants Quay Limerick.
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Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Gerald Mitchell and other elected representatives were joined by a number of representatives of the Ukrainian community living in Limerick.
On the same day, Mayor of Limerick, Gerard Mitchell launched an Art of Ukraine exhibit to celebrate Ukraine Independence Day at the Hunt Museum.
At this cultural celebration, people had the opportunity to witness firsthand the meticulous work of traditional artisans. From intricate handmade jewellery to stunning paintings and captivating folk art, the event featured a wide array of crafts that highlight Ukraine’s artistic legacy. This is a unique platform for artists to share their masterpieces and tell the story of Ukraine’s artistic heritage, providing a deeper understanding and appreciation of their culture.
The atmosphere was filled with the melodious beauty of Ukrainian folk music, enchanting visitors with vibrant melodies and captivating rhythms, giving people the chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of Ukraine’s artistic expressions as they explored the intricate details and vibrant colours of their traditional crafts.
Whether you are an art enthusiast, a lover of music, or simply a fan of cultural celebrations, The Art of Ukraine is a must-attend exhibit. It will transport you to a world of captivating visuals, enchanting melodies, and the vibrant spirit of Ukrainian culture and is currently running in the garden gallery of the Hunt Museum.
On Saturday, August 26th at 11am in Arthurs Quay Park, the Ukrainian Community have arranged a third intercultural event and you are also invited to this event.
The citizens and communities of Limerick have welcomed over 4000 Ukrainians to Limerick since March 2022. The Ukrainian Community acknowledge and appreciate the support they have received since arriving and want to express their gratitude to the people of Limerick.
The Ukraine Independence Day 2023 events are not only a celebration of their artistic heritage but also an opportunity to show solidarity and support for Ukrainian people who have had to seek refuge in other nations. Limerick takes pride in welcoming Ukrainian residents and is honoured to celebrate their craftsmanship and artistic contributions.
Olena Oleksienko of I Love Limerick said,
“17 months ago, because of war in my country, I had to leave my home country Ukraine and I moved to Limerick with my two young daughters.
In Ukraine we are celebrating 32 years of Independence, as Ukraine was under Soviet rule for 70 years. To this day in Ukraine, a lot of people still speak Russian and not Ukrainian, so my whole life I struggled for the opportunity to have conversations in Ukrainian. I had to re-tune my radio very often to hear Ukrainian songs. I had to hunt for books in my native language, translate articles and ask professors to lecture in Ukrainian.
Fortunately, lots of things have changed and now Ukrainian culture is becoming more well-known throughout the world. People all over the world are now interested in Ukraine’s rich history. Some people have started to learn and speak Ukrainian as a second or third language.
Our singers travel the world, our sportsmen and sportswomen represent Ukraine, not only in popular football and basketball, but also in fencing and swimming. This year Ukrainian teams took part in flag football and archery competitions at University of Limerick Sporting Arena. Ukrainian children in Ireland have started to play hurling and camogie.
It’s amazing to see Ukrainian and Irish cultures unite. These small things make my heart beat faster and my eyes are full of happy tears.
Here, far away from the war in Ukraine, we all do our best to make Ukrainian culture more visible and most importantly I try to learn about Irish culture and traditions. I have experienced the best of Limerick and for this honour, I am so grateful and happy.
The Ukrainian community in Limerick are all ambassadors of our beautiful home country and we are all so grateful to be able to call Limerick home and really appreciate the support of the Limerick Community. I Love Limerick!”
Hunt Museum
Read more news about Ukraine here.
Pictures: Kateryna Vyshemirska /ilovelimerick
Pictures: Kateryna Vyshemirska /ilovelimerick
Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
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