Borough marks 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence

The Ukraine flag outside Number One Riverside

The Ukrainian flag was raised outside Number One Riverside Rochdale, opposite the Lviv Bridge, to mark the 30th anniversary of the country’s independence.

Thirty years ago, on 24 August 1991, Ukraine’s Parliament issued a Declaration of Independence, which was subsequently confirmed in a referendum on 1 December 1991. The borough of Rochdale has lengthy links to Ukraine, and since 1992 has been twinned with the city of Lviv, the largest city in western Ukraine.

On the tenth anniversary of the twinning a bridge over the river Roch in Rochdale town centre was named after the city.

Taras Melnyk, cultural organiser at the Rochdale branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB), said: “We thank Rochdale Borough Council for their continued support of our Rochdale Ukrainian community. This anniversary reminds us that democracy and respect for human rights is a cause that is worth fighting for. As the Ukrainian national anthem says, ‘We will lay down our souls and our lives for our freedom’. On this day we stand heart and soul in solidarity with Ukrainians everywhere.”

Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Aasim Rashid, said: “We have strong links to Ukraine with our town twinning and I’m delighted we have supported proud Ukrainians in our borough on this important anniversary.” 

For more information on the Rochdale branch of the AUGB please visit: www.augb.co.uk/rochdale.php