The Ukrainian Community in Spain and its Vision of the Current Crisis: What to do to Contribute to Peace? (WFWP Spain)

Written by: Marcia de Abreu Rodrigues

On March 10, 2022, Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) Spain held an event to mark the celebration of International Women’s Day centered on the topic of the current world crisis: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

With the purpose of showing our solidarity towards peace, we invited several representatives of associations founded by the Ukrainian people in Spain and other noted members to speak. The speakers invited were: Liliya Mikolayiv, President Asociación “ConUcrania;” Hel’ga, pianist and composer; Iván Vouk, President Asociación Patriótica de Ucranianos en España, Volya; Tamara Fomenko, member of “ConUcrania;” Svitlana Kmetyk, Director of Asociación de "Ucrania Joven."

Our speakers all shared their anguish, state of shock and sadness for what is happening. Some of them still have their children and other relatives back in their country and emphasized the fact that life there is completely destroyed: no house, no work, no friends, nothing.

We took this opportunity to read short selected passages on peace by Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, Co-founders of WFWPI, between each speaker’s sharing. The event culminated with a prayer for the bloodshed to cease.

We had a community of 30 people participate in this meaningful event and we hope that this event gave our Ukrainian community in Spain a strong sense of support and solidarity.