A candlelight vigil was held in Montreal on Friday evening to mark Ukraine’s 365 days of resistance to Russian forces.
Organized by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), the cross-Canada action marks one year since the invasion of Russia and was an opportunity for Canadians to “show their solidarity” with Ukraine.
For Michael Shwec, president of the Congress of Ukrainian Canadians for Quebec, this initiative is part of a “global action” which aims to support Ukraine and its people, who “suffer from the cruelty of Russia”.
“There are many non-Ukrainians with us here today, and it’s a chance to show not just solidarity with a people, but an understanding that global democracy is at risk,” he said. at The Canadian Press.
The march started in Dorchester Square and ended not far away in Phillips Square, where speeches were made. The crowd stretched a few hundred yards from Metcalfe Street to Union Avenue. Participants waved Ukrainian flags and chanted a national salute of the country, “Slava Ukraini! (Glory to Ukraine!).
“We must show all our solidarity with the Ukrainian community. It is important in Montreal, especially in neighborhoods like Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie. […] Montreal is a city of human rights, and as a municipality in a country in good democratic health, we will make sure that this message is heard on the other side of the ocean, “said Alia Hassan. -Cournol, Associate Advisor to the Mayor on the Executive Committee.
A “new hope”
“This week has been very busy, and so to see the culmination of this here, with all these people, is really exceptional,” said Katia Sviderska, a student at the University of Montreal, in an interview.
The fact of seeing Ukraine once again occupy the media space is also a renewed hope for the young woman and allows her to “keep her spirits up”.
“The last year has been quite difficult, it has been a lot of ups and downs, a lot of joy and sadness. As winter progresses and spring arrives, we regain a lot of hope,” she said.
In the eyes of Yuliya Marunych, a resident of Montreal, every Ukrainian person has not only a hope, but also “a belief that Ukraine will win”.
“I am Ukrainian, and today marks 365 days of resistance, strength and hope for freedom. We’re here, even if it’s -20 degrees […], to support our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. We not only want peace, but also victory for our country,” she told The Canadian Press.
The City of Montreal also reiterated its support for the Ukrainian people, recalling its various initiatives to welcome and integrate refugees.
“We want to remind them loud and clear that the doors of the City of Montreal will always be open to them. Montreal has always been a land of welcome for the Ukrainian population and it will continue to be so,” Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said in a press release on Friday.
The blue and yellow flag of Ukraine had also been erected for the day on the central tower of the Parliament Building in Quebec City as a sign of solidarity.
Other rallies also took place across the province, notably in Quebec City and Granby, as well as in the rest of Canada.
The Samuel-De Champlain Bridge was also illuminated in the colors of Ukraine.