Cultural Weekend "HURTOM" in Berlin
Date: 2023-10-21 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: CULTURE
Cultural Diversity on Display:
The opening ceremony saw the participation of Elke Büdenbender, the First Lady of Germany and wife of the Federal President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. She expressed her support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of helping children who have lost their parents due to the war, as well as their right to a better future. She commended the initiative of Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, saying, "Children are our future, and they have the right to live in a better world. They are innocent victims of this cruel war brought by Russia to Ukraine."
Elke Büdenbender also pointed out her and Olena Zelenska's joint patronage of the "Better Time Stories" project, which aims to preserve the mental well-being of children forced to leave their homeland.
Supporting Ukraine's Refugees:
The Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany, Oleksiy Makyeyev, expressed gratitude to Germany for providing refuge to over a million Ukrainians. He called for continuous support in various forms, not only today but throughout the ongoing conflict. His appeal reached a diverse audience, including Bundestag deputies, vice president of the parliament, Katrin Göring-Eckardt, foreign and German diplomats, including Deputy Foreign Minister Tobias Lindner.
Maria Yemelyanova, the organizer of the event and wife of a counselor at the Ukrainian Embassy, shared her thoughts on "HURTOM." She said, "HURTOM signifies unity and collective efforts. Together, we march toward victory, and together, we will triumph."
A Multifaceted Event:
The event featured a unique auction, offering items for sale to support the cause. Guests enjoyed Ukrainian delicacies, fresh bread from the "Bake for Ukraine" project, which supports eight bakeries producing bread for the frontlines and hospitals, as well as Odessa wine. Live Ukrainian music entertained the audience, and attendees could make donations for portraits by famous Berlin-based Ukrainian photographers.
In Alexandra Dyolemann's boutique, many guests purchased clothing, jewelry, and decorations from Ukrainian designers. Notably, Elke Büdenbender was pleased with her purchase of a fashionable coat.
Building a Better Future:
The Olena Zelenska Foundation, within the "Address of Childhood" project, is constructing the first homes for large foster families from the frontline regions. In eight regions, 14 buildings are being built for these families who lost their homes due to the war. The project is funded entirely by international donors.
The first meeting between the First Ladies of Ukraine and Germany took place at last year's Frankfurt Book Fair. During the conversation, the "Better Time Stories" project was introduced. This non-profit initiative supports Ukrainian refugee children in the Netherlands, Flanders (Belgium), Germany, and Austria by providing them with books.
The Pilecki Institute, located in the heart of Berlin, has been a consistent partner of the Ukrainian Embassy in Germany. Since the beginning of the conflict, it has hosted almost 300 events related to Ukraine.
The opening ceremony saw the participation of Elke Büdenbender, the First Lady of Germany and wife of the Federal President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. She expressed her support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of helping children who have lost their parents due to the war, as well as their right to a better future. She commended the initiative of Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, saying, "Children are our future, and they have the right to live in a better world. They are innocent victims of this cruel war brought by Russia to Ukraine."
Elke Büdenbender also pointed out her and Olena Zelenska's joint patronage of the "Better Time Stories" project, which aims to preserve the mental well-being of children forced to leave their homeland.
Supporting Ukraine's Refugees:
The Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany, Oleksiy Makyeyev, expressed gratitude to Germany for providing refuge to over a million Ukrainians. He called for continuous support in various forms, not only today but throughout the ongoing conflict. His appeal reached a diverse audience, including Bundestag deputies, vice president of the parliament, Katrin Göring-Eckardt, foreign and German diplomats, including Deputy Foreign Minister Tobias Lindner.
Maria Yemelyanova, the organizer of the event and wife of a counselor at the Ukrainian Embassy, shared her thoughts on "HURTOM." She said, "HURTOM signifies unity and collective efforts. Together, we march toward victory, and together, we will triumph."
A Multifaceted Event:
The event featured a unique auction, offering items for sale to support the cause. Guests enjoyed Ukrainian delicacies, fresh bread from the "Bake for Ukraine" project, which supports eight bakeries producing bread for the frontlines and hospitals, as well as Odessa wine. Live Ukrainian music entertained the audience, and attendees could make donations for portraits by famous Berlin-based Ukrainian photographers.
In Alexandra Dyolemann's boutique, many guests purchased clothing, jewelry, and decorations from Ukrainian designers. Notably, Elke Büdenbender was pleased with her purchase of a fashionable coat.
Building a Better Future:
The Olena Zelenska Foundation, within the "Address of Childhood" project, is constructing the first homes for large foster families from the frontline regions. In eight regions, 14 buildings are being built for these families who lost their homes due to the war. The project is funded entirely by international donors.
The first meeting between the First Ladies of Ukraine and Germany took place at last year's Frankfurt Book Fair. During the conversation, the "Better Time Stories" project was introduced. This non-profit initiative supports Ukrainian refugee children in the Netherlands, Flanders (Belgium), Germany, and Austria by providing them with books.
The Pilecki Institute, located in the heart of Berlin, has been a consistent partner of the Ukrainian Embassy in Germany. Since the beginning of the conflict, it has hosted almost 300 events related to Ukraine.
