Rochdale stands together with Ukraine as conflict continues

The Ukrainian flag was raised outside Number One Riverside Rochdale, opposite the Lviv Bridge which is named after a city in the west of the country, to mark the anniversary of their independence.

Thirty-one years ago on 24th August 1991 Ukraine’s Parliament issued a Declaration of Independence, which was subsequently confirmed in a referendum later that year.

The borough of Rochdale has established links to Ukraine and since 1992 has been twinned with Lviv, the largest city in the west of the country. On the tenth anniversary of the twinning in 2002 a bridge over the River Roch in Rochdale town centre was named after the city.

Olga Kurtianyk, chair of the Rochdale branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB), said: “This anniversary has more poignancy than so many before it as it also marks six months since Russia invaded our beautiful country and brought tragedy and devastation to so many. We have felt support from the whole of the borough for which we are incredibly grateful.”

The special ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Ali Ahmed, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, Councillor Neil Emmott, Member of Parliament for Rochdale Tony Lloyd MP, councillors, council staff, members of the Rochdale branch of the Association of Ukrainians, and other Ukrainians who have settled in the borough.

As the flag was raised a chorus of "Sche ne Vmerla Ukraina" (Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished) broke out among those gathered.

Cllr Ahmed, said: “We are proud of our strong connection to Ukraine and we have celebrated that for the 20 years. It is more important than ever that we stand with them in their fight for freedom. I am in conversation with the Mayor of Lviv and he knows that the whole of Rochdale stands with them and we’re supporting Ukrainians here.”