On May 7, the ceremonial opening of Lviv Park took place in the city of Pula, located on the northeastern coast of the Adriatic Sea.
This park was created to honor Ukraine and symbolizes the friendship between Pula and the Ukrainian city of Lviv.
The event was reported by Svitlana Rusinova, the deputy chair of the Ukrainian Cultural Society of Istria “Vatra”.
Mayors of Lviv and Pula inaugurated the park in Croatia
At the opening ceremony, representatives of the diplomatic corps, including staff from embassies of over 10 European countries, local Croatian and Ukrainian officials, as well as numerous members of the Ukrainian community gathered.
“This significant event has become another strong bridge of friendship between Ukraine and Croatia,” explained Svitlana Rusinova.
Among the honored guests were the Mayor of Pula, Filip Zoricic, the Mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi, and the State Secretary of the Croatian Ministry of Veterans, Darko Nekicic.
In his speech, Andriy Sadovyi emphasized the deep symbolism of the park as a representation of the unyielding spirit of the Ukrainian people. Darko Nekicic reminded the attendees that Croatia, having also endured war in its history, deeply understands and supports Ukraine in its struggle.
Dmytro Horban, the First Secretary of the Embassy of Ukraine in Croatia, expressed gratitude for the support of Ukrainians who found refuge in this country from the war.
Olesya Rusinova, the head of the Ukrainian society “Vatra” in Istria, solemnly performed the Ukrainian national anthem and announced a moment of silence in honor of those who lost their lives in the war. The event also featured performances by Ukrainian children from a theater studio in Pula and singer Maria Ilkiv from Lviv.
To conclude the festivities, the mayors of Pula, Filip Zoricic, and Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi, jointly planted young linden trees as symbols of flourishing Lviv and the indomitable strength of the Ukrainian people.
“The opening of Lviv Park is proof that even from afar, we remain a united and strong nation capable of enriching the cultural landscape of the countries that have welcomed us in difficult times and have become our second home,” stated representatives of the Ukrainian community.
