Rochdale commemorates the first anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine

Date published: 27 February 2023

Around 100 people paid their respects as the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine was commemorated in Rochdale on Friday (24 February).

A year ago on 24 February 2022, Ukraine was invaded by Russia. Much has happened in the last year and so many lives have been lost, homes destroyed and Ukrainians forced to flee to other countries including the UK and Rochdale itself, where they have become displaced and are now finding shelter thanks to the kindness of British people.

To commemorate the anniversary of the invasion and all the lives lost, a flag-raising ceremony took place at Number One Riverside on Friday 24 February, exactly to the day of the Russian invasion.

It was attended by about 100 people, including the deputy mayor and mayoress, Mike and Margaret Holly; Chris Clarkson, MP for Heywood and Middleton; council leader Neil Emmott; Reverend Bohdan Lysykanych; Reverend Anne Gilbert; Rochdale councillors; displaced Ukrainians; members of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Rochdale, and local Ukrainians and supporters.

Olga Kurtianyk, Rochdale chair of AUGB, opened the ceremony, with Councillor Holly and Mr Clarkson vowing to support Ukraine until all its lands are returned. Also present was AUGB chair Petro Rewko.

Councillor Holly raised the flag to everyone singing the moving Ukrainian patriotic song 'Oy u Luzi'.

At 11am a minute's silence was observed in line with a UK-wide remembrance of the fallen in Ukraine. The ceremony concluded with the singing of Ukraine's national anthem.

A service of commemoration took place at the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Rochdale the following day, Saturday 25 February. The service commenced with a requiem service led by Father Bohdan Lysykanych of the Ukrainian Catholic Church together with Deacon Volodymyr Dobrianskyj of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.

This was followed by the Ukrainian hymn ‘Prayer for Ukraine’. After a welcome address, Mrs Kurtianyk then read President Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech ‘Invincible’ made on the Day of Dignity & Freedom in November 2021. It was a very moving and motivational speech on the Ukrainian spirit of determination and its ability to endure and to defeat.

 

 

The Vicar of Rochdale Reverend Anne Gilbert said a prayer relevant to the day’s events and this was followed by the singing of the song ‘Oy u Luzi’ (Oh, the Red Viburnum) by all.

The song was once the National Anthem of Ukraine and is associated with the Ukrainian people’s aspiration of independence.

Two very moving poems by ‘Solomiya’ followed; the Ukrainian version performed by Nadiya Kotsaba from Ukraine and the English version by Elizabeth Mytton.

MP Chris Clarkson made a moving speech, reflecting on the situation in Ukraine and said that he and the UK government will always support Ukraine until its lands are returned back.

‘The Lord’s Prayer’ was led by Father Bohdan Lysykanych after which the final prayer and blessing were given by the Bishop of Middleton, Reverend Mark Davies.

The concluding address was by the mayoral consort Sultan Ali. The service concluded with the singing of Ukraine’s national anthem ‘Sche ne Vmerla Ukrayina’ (Ukraine has not yet Perished).