Unwaivering support on anniversary of war
There were emotional scenes in Blairgowrie as Ukrainians living in the town gathered with locals to mark the second anniversary of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s ongoing invasion of their country.
Poignant addresses were given and a silence observed as the close-knit east Perthshire community stood in solidarity with the victims of the conflict on February 24.
While the Ukrainian national anthem played, children were among those to lay wreaths and artwork at the town’s war memorial.
Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Pipe Band Pipe’s AJ Macgregor concluded the emotional occasion by playing ‘Flowers of the Forest’.
The events were held on the same day as the town’s latest Farmers and Producers’ Market in the Wellmeadow and the Ukrainian community ran a stall selling delicacies from their home country and artwork, with support from members of Blairgowrie International Cafe, Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council, Tayside and Strathearn Help for Ukraine and Nest Creative Spaces.
Anna Petrovska addressed those gathered.
In her speech, she said: “Two, 24 months, but – for us Ukrainians –this war is measured in days ... 731 days we fight at the cost of the lives of our defenders.
“Every day we lose the best people of our country. Today, as many years ago, our history is again being written in blood.
“No one believed that we would last at least three days, but we are still standing.
“However, we understand that this would not be possible without the help of our friends.
“In Ukraine, we have a saying: ‘A true friend is known in trouble’. So, on behalf of all Ukrainians, I want to thank Great Britain, in particular Scotland, for becoming a best friend in this time of difficult trials.
“You opened your homes to strangers, every day you surprise us with your sincerity and kindness.
“Thank you for making us feel at home. Thank you for being with us today. For us, this day began on February 24, 2022, and continues to this day, and will end only when Ukraine wins.”
Olha Protsenko is originally from Mykolaiv in Ukraine, which was officially twinned with Glasgow on Friday, February 23.
Olha, who organises the Blairgowrie International Cafe Ukrainian Group, said: “We raised more £700 to help our people; to help our soldiers.
“They need bullet-proof vests, thermal heated jackets and inflatable life vests.
“We know from experience that these will save lives.”
Perthshire North SNP MSP John Swinney also spoke at the event, delivering an address emphasising the people of Perthshire’s ongoing support for all those with links to the eastern European country.
Afterwards, he said: “It has been wonderful to witness the kindness that has been displayed by so many of my constituents to the Ukrainian nationals who now make Perthshire their home. It has only sought to reaffirm my belief in the fundamental goodness of our society.
“As the war in Ukraine rages on, it is vital that the West continues to supply Ukraine with the financial and military support that is required to beat back Russia.”
Blairgowrie International Cafe thanked Perth and Kinross Council for the support received on the day.
• Picture by: Nick Charles.