Mayor Krzysztof Żuk said that Ukraine’s Declaration of Independence of 1991 "became the foundation for building not only an independent country but also one that is open to good-neighbourly relations" with Poland.
“For the past few decades we have been cementing the bonds of partnership and cooperation on many institutional levels as well as nurturing our friendly relations,” Żuk said.
He added: “In these difficult days, we grant our sister cities in Ukraine humanitarian assistance and provide aid to thousands of refugees who have found safe shelter in Lublin.”
Wednesday’s events include the hoisting of Polish and Ukrainian flags at the Town Hall in the presence of the Ukrainian consul in the city, Artem Valah, a wreath-laying ceremony at the graves of Ukrainian soldiers at the local Orthodox cemetery, and an open-air concert by young Ukrainian musicians.
In the evening, a religious service known as Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in Ukrainian in one of the city’s churches, and the Ukrainian anthem will be sung by residents gathered in Lublin's Lithuanian Square.
This will be followed by a "chain of solidarity" and the screening of documentary films in an open-air cinema about the Ukrainian cities of Mariupol, Severodonetsk and Kherson prior to the Russian invasion.
Poland was the first country to recognize Ukraine’s independence on December 2, 1991.
(mk/gs)
