On 20-23 April 2017 Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij fulfilled a working visit to Athens, Greece, in the framework of commemorations marking the 50th anniversary of the UWC.
On 22 April 2017 the UWC President delivered the keynote address during a banquet to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the UWC organized by the UWC member organization, Association of the Ukrainian Diaspora in Greece “Ukrainian-Hellenic Thought”, chaired by Halyna Masliuk. In his address Eugene Czolij highlighted the many achievements of the UWC throughout its 50-year history and called upon Ukrainians in Greece to continue supporting Ukraine in the defence of its territorial integrity.
Volunteers in the Ukrainian community in Greece and Greek friends of Ukraine were acknowledged by the UWC President with Certificates of Recognition for their contribution to the development of Ukrainian community life in Greece.
The evening program included a screening of the short documentary film 50 years of the Ukrainian World Congress and performances by local artists.
The Ukrainian community in Greece and representatives of UWC member organizations from Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Estonia, Hungary, Portugal and the United States, were joined at the commemoration by Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Ukraine in Greece Nataliia Kosenko, mayors and representatives of the municipalities of Athens, Zohraf, Penteli, Perama, Mandra-Idyllia, and representatives of political, diplomatic, academic and cultural circles of Greece and Ukraine.
Banquet guests received small mementos crafted by members of the Greek community in Mariupol, Ukraine, as a symbol of the centuries-old ties between the Ukrainian and Greek peoples.
Earlier that day Eugene Czolij visited the Ukrainian heritage school sponsored by the Association of the Ukrainian Diaspora in Greece “Ukrainian-Hellenic Thought” where he delivered a message to students on the importance of maintaining one’s heritage.
The UWC President also discussed effective means of cooperation to further Ukrainian interests during a meeting with representatives of UWC member organizations from Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Estonia, Hungary, Portugal and the United States.
On 21 April 2017 the UWC President participated in Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in Athens, and addressed the local community on the activities of the UWC.
During these events Eugene Czolij was joined by UWC First Vice President and President of the European Congress of Ukrainians Jaroszlava Hartyanyi, UWC Secretary-General and President of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations Stefan Romaniw, UWC Vice President and President of the Congress of Ukrainians in Estonia Vira Konyk, Chair of the UWC International Task Force to Stop Human Trafficking and President of the Association of the Ukrainian Diaspora in Greece “Ukrainian-Hellenic Thought” Halyna Masliuk and Director of the UWC Mission to International Organizations in Brussels Maryna Iaroshevych.
“The Ukrainian World Congress congratulates the Ukrainian community in Greece on raising awareness of the UWC and its activities during this 50th anniversary year and calls for the further strengthening of its cooperation with the UWC in attaining common goals,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
A report on the visit to Greece is available HERE . Video of the 50th anniversary of UWC is available HERE.
In the photo: E. Czolij and members of UWC Board of Directors with teachers and students of Ukrainian Saturday school in Greece
