Zoia Kostina
Stunning, almost overwhelming beauty — the boundless ocean, colossal glaciers, the raw power of nature — and a human presence, fragile yet persistent: scientists who come to this frozen continent to live and work for almost a year. These are images that stay with you long after the final frames of Antarctica.
Daria Zhdanova
On June 14, a warm and intimate gathering of Ukrainian and Welsh poets and musicians took place at the cozy Caffi Soar in Merthyr Tydfil. Despite the limited capacity of the venue, the event fostered a palpable sense of genuine connection and mutual interest among attendees. The evening was expertly organized by Mike Jenkins and Olesia Miftahova.
In a recent meeting in Abergavenny, Catherine Fookes MP sat down with members of the Ukrainian community living in Monmouthshire to listen to their stories, learn about their current challenges, and discuss the uncertainty surrounding their future in the UK.
On June 3, the Senedd in Cardiff hosted an important public briefing titled “Last Check-In: The Russian Strikes on Ukrainian Hotels Silencing the Press”. The session brought together Members of the Senedd Mick Antoniw MS and Alun Davies MS, international journalists, and civil society representatives, including members of the Ukrainian community in Wales.
The Ukrainian community in Wales, supported by local residents, came together at St Grwst Church in Llanrwst for a remarkable fundraising event that raised £813 for Ukrainian humanitarian efforts. The money will be directed towards repairing a medical evacuation vehicle and purchasing first aid kits for those in need.
Cardiff Bay witnessed a moving display of solidarity on International Children’s Day as the local Ukrainian community and supporters gathered near the Roald Dahl monument to create a poignant memorial for Ukraine’s missing children. Despite facing extremely windy conditions, participants persevered to build a mountain of donated soft toys, each representing the thousands of Ukrainian children who have been forcibly separated from their families.
This week, the Ukrainian Library in Wales received a truly valuable and much-needed gift — 250 brand-new bilingual Ukrainian-English children’s books from the National Literacy Trust.
Hefin David MS, Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly, recently recorded a podcast episode with Yuliia Bond, an active member of the Ukrainian community in Wales. Their conversation focused on important issues facing the Ukrainian community in Wales.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, the Ukrainian community in Wales has shown remarkable strength, bringing their vibrant culture to local towns and enriching communities across the region. Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales West, shares her experiences with the Ukrainian diaspora, from Neath’s Ruta Kitchen to solidarity events that embody Wales’ ethos as a Nation of Sanctuary. In this interview, she reflects on the warmth of Ukrainian culture, local initiatives supporting Ukraine, and the inspiring resilience of those who have found refuge in Wales.
Residents of Wales demonstrated their solidarity with Ukraine by participating in a charity trek to the summit of Garth Mountain on Thursday, March 20. The event was timed to coincide with the sunset on the Spring Equinox and aimed to raise funds for purchasing a power generator for Ukraine.
