New Park Dedicated to Lviv Opens in Pula
On May 7, the city of Pula in Croatia, located on the northeastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, celebrated the grand opening of the Lviv park.
This park was established in honor of Ukraine and symbolizes the fraternal ties between Pula and the Ukrainian city of Lviv.
The event was reported by Svitlana Rusinova, deputy head of the Ukrainian Cultural and Artistic Society of Istria “Vatra”.
Mayors of Lviv and Pula Inaugurate Park in Croatia
During 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 together.
“This significant event serves as yet another strong bridge of friendship between Ukraine and Croatia,” explained Svitlana Rusinova.
Among the honored guests were Pula's mayor Filip Zoricic, Lviv's mayor Andriy Sadovy, and the state secretary of the Croatian Ministry of Veterans, Darko Nekicic.
In his speech, Andriy Sadovy emphasized the deep symbolism of the park as a representation of the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people. Darko Nekicic reminded the audience that Croatia, which has also faced war in its history, deeply understands and supports Ukraine in its struggle.
Dmytro Horban, first secretary of the Ukrainian Embassy in Croatia, thanked for the support given to Ukrainians who found refuge in this country from the war.
Olesia Rusinova, head of the Ukrainian society “Vatra” in Istria, solemnly performed the Ukrainian national anthem and announced a moment of silence to honor the memory of those lost in the war. The event also featured performances by Ukrainian children from a theater studio operating in Pula, as well as singer Maria Ilkiv from Lviv.
To conclude the festivities, mayors Filip Zoricic and Andriy Sadovy planted young linden trees as symbols of a blooming Lviv and the unbreakable strength of the Ukrainian people.
“The opening of the Lviv park is a testament that even from afar, we remain a united and strong nation capable of enriching the cultural landscape of the countries that have sheltered us in difficult times, becoming our second home,” stated representatives of the Ukrainian community.
