Imatra honors the National Day of Ukraine

Ukraine's national day is today, Wednesday, August 24.8. In honor of that, the city of Imatra flies Ukrainian flags in the yard of the sports hall, Kulttuuritalo Virra and the town hall.

In addition, a community art carpet was painted in the center in the morning. It was implemented by the students of the Koske school center, the Ukrainian residents of the reception center and the people of the FinAID aid organization. Painting from the city side were acting mayor Matias Hilden, from the presidency of the council Anna Helminen ja Päivi Marttila and by the city government Ilkka Nokelainen ja Mikko Airas.

─ This is our way of showing sympathy for Ukraine and welcoming the Ukrainians who immigrated to us to Imatra, acting mayor Matias Hilden says.

The ideas about painting a community art carpet and flagging the national day were born in the presidium of the council and the government.

Throughout August, the city has also shown its sympathy for the Ukrainians by playing the Ukrainian national anthem before each rapids show.

Voluntary aid loads also from Imatra

Two active members of the Finnish AID association also participated in the painting. Another of them is from Imatra, who took eight loads of aid to Ukraine Joni Salmi.

─ We have taken relief supplies to hospitals, ordinary people and the Kharkiv zoo, says Salmi

In total, the association has already made about 50 aid trips.

─ Our principle is that we take aid goods there and always bring people here on the way back, says Salmi.

On the last trip back, an old lady born in 1933 traveled to safety in Finland aboard Salmi.

─ Yes, it felt pretty hard that a person has survived one world war and now he had to leave his home, Salmi thinks.

For more information:

City council chairman Anna Helminen, p. 020 617 2280, give. pearlimatra.fi (anna[dot]helminen[at]imatra[dot]fi)

Chairman of the City Board Ilkka Nokelainen, tel. 040 593 0552, ilkka. nokelainenimatra.fi (ilkka[dot]nokelainen[at]imatra[dot]fi)