Thank you ‘from the bottom of our hearts’
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Ukrainian families living all over County Cavan congregated at Cavan Courthouse on Friday evening for a special ceremony organised by Cavan County Council in unison with the Association of Ukrainians in Ireland represented by Sergiy Balan. The evening featured speeches from the chairman of Cavan County Council, John Paul Feeley and Sergiy Balan and other Ukrainians. There was was also Ukrainian music and their National Anthem.Image 2 of 11
Sergiy Balan from AURI and these Ukrainian people are joined by Senator Diarmuid Wilson, Cllr Carmel Brady, Cllr Peter McVitty and Cllrs Patricia Walsh and Winston Bennett. They are standing in front of 365 lighted candles depicting a year of war in Ukraine.Image 3 of 11
Sergiy Balan, who represents his country within the Association of Ukrainians of Ireland and John Paul Feeley, chairman of Cavan County Council, joined by these people from Ukraine who are living in Cavan at the Exhibition in the Johnston Library, designed to mark 365 days of the war in their home country.Image 4 of 11
This Ukrainian lady who was attending the events in Cavan Town on Friday evening to mark 365 days of the war in her country, is proud to show off her national flag.Image 5 of 11
These Ukrainian people living in Cavan attending the art and photo exhibition, depicting scenes from the War in Ukraine in the Johnston Library.Image 6 of 11
These descriptive stories and pictures in the Johnston Library of the war in Ukraine capture the attention of these Ukrainian people living in Cavan.Image 7 of 11
No doubting how proud these Ukrainian people are of their country, as they wait for events to get underway in the Cavan Johnston Library on Friday evening.Image 8 of 11
Deputy Brendan Smith, speaking at the exhibition in the Johnston Library on Friday evening, as the chairman of Cavan County Council, John Paul Feeley listen together with these Ukrainians living in Cavan.Image 9 of 11
These Ukrainian people visited the exhibition in the Johnston Library and are listening to an interpreter translating the speeches.Image 10 of 11
The Chairman of Cavan County Council, John Paul Feeley pauses on the steps of Cavan Courthouse on Friday evening, to allow the Interpreter translate his words. The front of the Courthouse was illuminated in the colour of the Ukrainian flag.Image 11 of 11
These Ukrainian living in Cavan appear to be deep in thought as they listen to the speeches on the steps of the Courthouse in Cavan on last Friday evening.As Ukrainian citizens living in Cavan gathered last Friday to demand an end to the Russian invasion of their home country one year on, co-organiser Sergiy Balan stood back and embraced the moment.
His quiet reflection was on a number of fronts. Firstly, he was impressed with the show of solidarity, the calls for peace, and the support from so many Irish people draped shoulder-to-shoulder in the yellow and blue of Ukraine.
Secondly he hoped for the killing to end and for swift return to peace meaning that such a event would not be required in another year’s time.
February 24, 2023, Seirgy said, was “one of the saddest anniversaries” in the history of Ukraine, with so many of the nation’s children scattered across the world, “not by choice but because of war”.
He said the “genocide” still being perpetrated in parts of Ukraine continues to displace thousands of people each day. Those who remain live under the “constant threat of attack”.
Sergiy is a member of the Association of Ukrainians in the Republic of Ireland (AURI), which joined itself to an international initiative of the Ukrainian World Congress to remind the world “with the single voice” of the terror being perpetrated on the Ukrainian community at large by the continuing war effort.
The events that took place in Cavan were, he continued, an important reminder of all those who have been killed to date in Ukraine.
It was also a heartfelt gesture of thanks to the Irish people who have “with great generosity” opened their arms in welcome to so many Ukrainian refugees.
A prayer service led by Ukrainian priest Father Vasily from the Ukrainian Church at the Cathedral of Saints Patrick and Felim was followed by the unveiling of a photo exhibition and an exhibition of children’s drawings in the Johnston Central Library.
That exhibition will continue into March and Sergiy thanked Chief Librarian Emma Clancy and Cavan County Council for their support.
“If more people can come and see that exhibition, it would be really important. A lot of people still don’t understand why or what is happening in Ukraine. I spoke to one guy and so many times they asked 'why?' I have to say it’s not only today, or one year [ago]. This aggression is happening for years.”
The “peaceful” anti-war demonstration continued outside Cavan courthouse, which was lit up in the blue and yellow of Ukraine to show the county's ongoing support of the Ukrainian people and their cause.
Serigy is aware that so many Ukrainians carry scars of war - emotional and physical.
He spoke with one man who had suffered “torture” at the hands of Russian invading forces. “What they did, I can’t even tell you, I can’t really believe. We talk and they have tears in their eyes, what they’ve felt, now that they’re here, safe, but also the families and friends - husbands, children, mothers, fathers who have died.”
On Monday, the Cavan Townhall Theatre hosted a screening of the Ukrainian Film ‘Carol of the Bells’ with English subtitles.
“That was very successful, the Townhall was completely full. The main message here is thank you Ireland for your support, for what the people of Ireland are doing for the people of Ukraine. Thank you really, from the bottom of our hearts.”