The Croatian city of Pula, located on the northeastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, has officially opened Lviv Park in honor of Ukraine. Pula has a sister city relationship with Lviv, western Ukraine’s most populous city.
The opening ceremony took place on May 7, according to Svitlana Rusinova, deputy head of the Vatra Cultural and Artistic Society of Ukrainians in Istria.
The event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, including embassy staff from more than ten European countries, local and Ukrainian officials, as well as members of the Ukrainian community.
“This significant event has become another strong bridge of friendship between Ukraine and Croatia,” Rusinova said in a statement to the Ukrainian World Congress.
Among the guests were Filip Zoričić, mayor of Pula; Andriy Sadovyi, mayor of Lviv; and Darko Nekić, State Secretary of the Croatian Ministry of Veterans.
Mayor Sadovyi emphasized the symbolism of the park as a representation of the unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people. Darko Nekić noted that Croatia, having experienced war itself, deeply understands and supports Ukraine.
Dmytro Horban, First Secretary at the Embassy of Ukraine in Croatia, expressed gratitude for the country’s support of Ukrainians who have found refuge there.
Olesia Rusinova, the head of Vatra in Istria, performed the Ukrainian national anthem and called for a moment of silence in memory of those who have died in the Russo-Ukrainian war.
The ceremony featured performances by Ukrainian children from a local theater studio and singer Mariia Ilkiv from Lviv. The event concluded with mayors Zoričić and Sadovyi planting young lime trees, symbolizing the flourishing city of Lviv and the strength of the Ukrainian people.
“The opening of Lviv Park in Pula is more than just adding greenery to the city. It is an important step in strengthening cultural ties between our peoples and a symbol of mutual respect and support,” Rusinova said.
The Ukrainian community in Croatia expressed sincere gratitude to the Pula city authorities for their support and assistance in creating this important site.
“The opening of Lviv Park demonstrates that even at a distance, we remain one united and strong nation, capable of enriching the cultural landscape of the countries that have welcomed us in difficult times and become our second home,” the community said.
