Since this Monday, February 28 in La Roche-Chalais, gatherings have multiplied in the Dordogne to support the Ukrainian population in this war started by Russia. In Périgueux, a first rally was organized by the town hall this Wednesday, March 2 before a second scheduled for this Saturday at 2 p.m. in front of the tree of freedom, at the call of the League for Human Rights.
A hundred people gathered under a light rain around 6 p.m. The town hall of Périgueux had printed yellow and blue panels with Solidarité Ukraine written on them. Julie came with these two little boys, Arthur and Martin, who made their own sign “with the means at hand this afternoon” explains this mother “they talk about the war at school, we also talk to them about it at home to explain what is happening”.
– Charlotte Jousserand
On the stage, Tatiana speaks, very moved, in front of the crowd. The young woman is Ukrainian and lives these last days with anguish because part of her family is still there. She learned just before speaking that the sirens had sounded again. The mayor of Périgueux spoke before the crowd applauded.
Among those gathered, Yuri, Oleysia and their two little girls. The family who arrived from Ukraine seven years ago made a large white sign on which are pasted the words of the Ukrainian anthem and photos: an apartment destroyed by a bomb, people sheltering in a cellar. Oleysia makes many phone calls, in the morning, at noon, in the evening to find out about their family who have remained there. “They are forced to hide in the subway, in the cellars, 5.6, 8 times a day” explains Yuri, “It’s very difficult for us to live”. Oleysia says she feels helpless in the face of the situation. Svetlana approached to translate, the young Russian woman is a friend of Oleysia, met during French lessons. Svetlana does not understand this war “how could one have believed that such a war would occur in Europe”she feels sad for Ukraine and also worried about what is happening in her country “there is a lot of propaganda there, here I have another vision of things”.
– Charlotte Jousserand
A second rally is planned in Périgueux, this Saturday, March 5, at 2 p.m.
Others are also planned in the Dordogne:
- Thursday March 3: in Bergerac in front of the town hall at 6 p.m., in Boulazac at 7 p.m.
- Saturday March 5: in St-Léon-sur-l’Isle at 11 a.m. in front of the war memorial then in Périgueux at 2 p.m.