Vaasa supports Ukraine on the anniversary of the war

In Vaasa, you can spot the Ukrainian flag permanently displayed along the pedestrian street. Also, on Saturday, February 24th, Ukrainian flags will be raised at the City Hall and at the Vaasa Market Square.

The Kalyna Association, which promotes Ukrainian culture and traditions, will host the Together for Ukraine event at the market square at 16:00 on the anniversary. Among the speakers at the event is Joakim Strand, the Chairman of the City Council.

Vaasa Market Hall is displaying the free photo exhibition titled The Cold Face of the Ukrainian War, depicting the first year of the conflict, during February and March.

In December, the city of Vaasa became sister cities with Kherson, a city in Ukraine, through a cooperation agreement. They aim to collaborate on themes like sustainable development, youth, education and science, culture and sports, as well as urban administration and democracy.

Proceeds from charity concert will support Ukrainian people

The ticket revenue from the nearly sold-out February concert by the dance and vocal ensemble Gutsulia will be directed to aid Ukrainians. The charity concert gathered a donation sum of over a thousand euros. This money which will be used for relief efforts in Ukraine.

– Out of the tickets sold, 50 complimentary tickets were donated to the Ukrainians who live in the Ostrobothnia region, and the remainder was donated to the Kalyna Association, says Jenni Niemi, director of culture for the city of Vaasa.

The Kalyna Association helps war-torn Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees who have fled the conflict and arrived in Finland. The association’s goal is also to increase cooperation between Finland and Ukraine.

– The association has been actively involved in Vaasa and was a significant help in organising the charity concert, says Niemi.

Every Vaasa resident who purchased a ticket to the concert also performed a good deed, which they can choose to record in the city’s Year of Good Deeds counter.

The website for the Year of Good Deeds campaign collects both small and large good deeds done by Vaasa residents throughout the year.

– We will also add the complimentary tickets donated to Ukrainians in the counter, says Niemi.