In the garden of Henri Paillard, a retiree living at a place called La Chenilière in Saint-Berthevin, the barbecue is smoking and conversations are going well, this Sunday March 27, 2022. The day before, he accepted the proposal from the Slavic cultural center of Laval to welcome about thirty people for a picnic. “I’m lucky to have three hectares of land, so of course it affects me.”
– Selma Rich
Alena Tarasevich, president of the Slavic cultural center of Laval, wanted to create a moment of conviviality and sharing for these people who had been refugees for several days in Mayenne. “I think it is important today to be at peace between different cultures. For example, we don’t ask ‘Where are you from?’ or ‘What language do you speak?’ And we don’t discuss politics.”
About thirty people are gathered to enjoy the sun and talk in their mother tongue. Youlek, a Ukrainian who arrived in Mayenne in 2015, is very moved. “It is very difficult morally for Ukrainians. So this picnic is beautiful, very beautiful because we can talk to each other“Among the guests, French people like Carole, who came with her husband and daughter.”It’s nice to see all these people smile, when you see what’s going on in their country. And then all this generosity!“
– Selma Rich