Ukrainians and the Ukrainian-Australian community are very grateful to the people of NSW for showing their support for Ukraine by turning off the lights of Sydney’s major icons.
In solidarity with millions of Ukrainians forced into darkness by missile attacks on their cities, the City of Sydney Council and the NSW Government intentionally switched off their lights on Wednesday 21 December at:
- Martin Place Christmas tree, Pitt Street Mall canopy, Sydney Town Hall, Christmas tree in front of the Queen Victoria Building, exterior of Sydney Town Hall, Christmas Tree at Customs House, from 9pm to 10pm (thanks to City of Sydney)
- The Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and NSW Parliament House on Wednesday, from 9pm (thanks to the NSW Government).
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO), the Ukrainian Council of NSW (UCNSW) and the Embassy of Ukraine in Australia thanked local and State Government authorities for this strong symbolic move.
“Our community greatly appreciates the NSW community for turning off the lights for Ukraine during this festive season. Australians have been extremely generous to Ukrainians during the last 300 days of war and this is another kind act, even while the holidays are marked,” Kateryna Argyrou, Co-Chair AFUO, said.
“The City of Sydney Council, under Lord Mayor Clover Moore, and the NSW Government, under Premier Dom Perrottet and through Minister Mark Coure, have been steadfast in standing with Ukraine. We thank them very much for this compassionate gesture, which sites across the globe are also undertaking,” Dan Wolody, President UCNSW, said.
“Ukrainians in Ukraine are so moved and buoyed by such messages from Australians, who are absolutely admired and respected here in Kyiv. We know we are not alone in our darkest and coldest hours, and that Aussies on the other side of the world are on our side. Neighbours, colleagues and friends have personally told me that during my current visit back in Kyiv,” His Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand said.
Ms Argyrou said that, in addition to giving the gift of their light, Australians can provide material support to Ukraine by donating to humanitarian funds that organise medical supplies and necessary equipment like generators and transformers for hospitals and schools. Details can be found at:
- www.ukrainecrisisappeal.org – a collaboration between the AFUO, Rotary Australia World Community Service and Caritas Ukraine
- u24.gov.ua – a direct initiative of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Photo / Video Credits: Opera House and Harbour Bridge by Nadia Mencinsky, Town Hall by Olga Voronina
