Cambridgeshire County Council and Cambridge City Council were among those local authorities to raise the Ukrainian flag to show solidarity with the country in its war with Russia.
A county council spokesperson said “We again raised the Ukrainian flag at our headquarters and other buildings in solidarity with our Ukrainian friends
“This is to remind them that we stand with them.”
On the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, chair of Cambridgeshire County Council Cllr Stephen Ferguson gave a speech outside New Shire Hall.
He said: “Unlike most anniversaries or events, I mark as chair of Cambridgeshire County Council, I come to this one with a very heavy heart.
“Reaching the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine with a bitter war still being fought and many thousands of people displaced from their homes is something I hoped never to see.
“But today, we are once again raising the Ukrainian flag at our council headquarters and at other buildings we own, in solidarity with our Ukrainian friends and neighbours.
Andrei Kirilenko's 85-year-old mother, Svetlana, lost her life in Mariupol but, a year on from the start of war, he has been unable to find out what happened to her. https://t.co/WHCon8O8MV
— Mark Williamson (@markrwilliamson) February 24, 2023
“This is to remind them that we in Cambridgeshire stand with them, whether they are fighting to repel those who would seek to take over their land, or whether they have found a place of temporary safety in the UK.
“I would particularly like to say to those who have found homes with relatives or host families in Cambridgeshire that you are most welcome here.
“Across all the public services in the county we will continue to do all we can to support you, even while we recognise that your hearts remain in your own country, and that you are longing to return to a safe and reunited nation as soon as this is possible.
https://twitter.com/cambsforeurope/status/1629201316646907909
“I would also like to thank those residents of Cambridgeshire who have opened their homes to people fleeing the war, or who have helped and supported in other ways. Our county has a long and proud tradition of offering help and support to people facing crisis and this is just one demonstration of this continuing.
“Later this morning our council will take part in the national minutes silence at 11am – to mark this terrible anniversary, to think of those who are fighting, or those who are separated from the people that they love and to earnestly hope for peace to return to Ukraine.
“I would ask you to think of these things now as we watch the Ukrainian flag flying at New Shire Hall.”
CAMBRIDGE City Council has marked the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, by raising the Ukraine flag and lighting up the Guildhall on the market square in the colours of the Ukraine flag over the weekend.
A council spokesperson said: “Since the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February last year, 240 Cambridge households have opened their homes to people from Ukraine, and more than 500 people from Ukraine have been welcomed into the city through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.”
A number of events have taken place in the city to mark the anniversary:
From the evening of Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 February: Cambridge City Council will fly the Ukraine flag and light up the Guildhall on the market square in the colours of the Ukraine flag.
Saturday 25 February, 2pm: A march from the War Memorial on Hills Road to King’s Parade in central Cambridge. Organised by Cambridge 4 Ukraine. Find out more or respond to the event organisers on Facebook.
Sunday 26 February, 2pm to 3pm: Anti-war protest outside Great St Mary’s Church, organised by Russian-speaking residents of Cambridge, supported by Cambridge Russian-Speaking Society (CamRuSS).
Sunday 26 February, 4pm: Service at Great St Mary’s Church with Ukrainian choral singing, organised by Cambridge 4 Ukraine. Find out more or respond to the event organisers on Facebook.
Cllr Mairéad Healy, Executive Councillor for Equalities, Anti-Poverty and Wellbeing, said: “I’m sure that people from Ukraine will find the coming days difficult, with the anniversary on Friday being a particularly sensitive time.
“Ukraine has not yet perished”: Ukrainian students singing the national anthem at the Cambridge demo this evening pic.twitter.com/PpoiGIQS3B
— Mark Williamson (@markrwilliamson) February 24, 2022
“We want you to know that Cambridge stands in solidarity with you.
“I want to thank everyone who has played a part in welcoming people from Ukraine to Cambridge in the past year – whether as hosts through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, by supporting community group projects to help people settle in locally, or simply by being warm and welcoming.
“This weekend gives another opportunity for us to show our support for the people of Ukraine, by attending any of the events taking place in the city.
“Anyone who would still like to find out about becoming a host – it’s not too late. Visit cambridge.gov.uk/spareroom to find out more.”
