The demonstration procession through downtown Saarbrücken, organized by the association “UkraineFreundeSaar,” was preceded by over 2,000 people joining in.
„After this incredibly difficult year for everyone, we must continue to stay strong, show our strength and solidarity, and support Ukraine,“ urged the Chairwoman Dr. Lesya Matiyuk.
On the Schlossplatz, candles arranged on the date 24.2.2022 transformed the already special atmosphere in the evening twilight in front of the Saarbrücken Palace into a mood-filled scene.
„I am overwhelmed by this setting with all of you who have taken the time today. This event is both a sign of mourning and a sign of solidarity for what is happening in Ukraine. I thank the association ‚UkraineFreundeSaar‘ led by Ms. Lesya Matiyuk, which made this gathering possible for today,“ began District Administrator Dr. Theophil Gallo. Among other things, he spoke of the good connections of the Saarpfalz district to Ukraine, on which support services were based immediately after the war began and in the following months. He also recalled memorable encounters, such as at the German-Polish-Ukrainian Friendship Concert in Saarbrücken and Homburg with the national ensemble of bandurists „Beautiful Strings“ from Pustomyty and the „P & P Quintet“ from Lviv. „These meetings on the social and municipal level through our partnerships simultaneously demonstrate our unity in the endeavor to further strengthen Europe,“ affirmed the district administrator and also mentioned the „International Alliance for Peace and Cohesion in Europe,“ the „Homburg Alliance,“ as an alliance that will act in this spirit.
“The sign of solidarity that originates from here today will help us stand up for a strong Europe, which also includes Ukraine, where we will have a peaceful future that we all desire,” concluded the district administrator his speech.
In addition to Minister-President Anke Rehlinger and District Administrator Dr. Theophil Gallo, Jörg Schwindling, First Deputy Regional Association Officer, and Barbara Meyer-Gluche, Mayor of the City of Saarbrücken, also spoke on site. Furthermore, greetings were conveyed via video message from Kostiantyn Koshelenko, the Deputy Minister of Ukraine for Social Policy and Digital Transformation in Kyiv; Oleksii Makeiev, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to the Federal Republic of Germany in Berlin; Vitali Klitschko, the Mayor of the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv; as well as Uwe Conradt, the Lord Mayor of the City of Saarbrücken.
