MEMBERS of the Ukrainian community came together today to mark the first anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
The Reading Ukrainian Community Centre, which has become a central part of the town’s response to the invasion, welcomed the community as the nation observed a minute’s silence.
Tony Gresko, the centre’s chair, gave candles to attendees before leading them in a minute’s silence.
This was followed by an address, in which he thanked those who had attended: “There are no words to describe what happened a year ago.
“Everyone was in complete shock this time last year and the whole world knows what Russia is, or more what Putin is, finally.
“This war didn’t start a year ago- It started when they took Crimea, annexed Crimea and the Donbas, and Ukraine has been fighting since then.
He continued: “And the world didn’t pay too much attention and hoped the problem would go away, but it hasn’t- we’re all faced with that problem.
“People say that this isn’t their war and I would say to these people this is our war- the only difference is that our soldiers are fighting in a European war.
We just need weapons to stop this war, so please don’t think this doesn’t relate to you because it does.”
A choir came together to perform a Ukrainian song more than a century old, followed by speeches by members of the community.
Tony Gresko leads attendees in a song at the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre.
Mick Polleck said of the center’s support for the community: “When somebody comes to you that they’ve got a problem, they have got a concern, and they feel that you are like a doctor who might be able to help them.
“If you’re like a politician, you might be able to guide them and help them and of course we organise these events.
“It’s for Ukrainians here to talk to each other, because they didn’t know each other when they were in Ukraine and they’ve all got a common thing – their husbands or brothers or uncles and fathers are all still fighting.
“So they’ve got that commonality and also that they come from the whole of Ukraine, which with its diverse language, and religion, country, and so we do what we can to help.”
He continued: “This time last year, I felt punch drunk, and I felt numb.
“It felt to me as if my father had just died and, a year on, those things haven’t changed.
“I feel no more like I did after my dad was buried, and there is that inability to do and inability to change.”
A demonstration is now set to take place in Reading from noon on Saturday, February 25.
Attendees will march from The Broad Street Mall to Forbury Gardens.
