In the park zone of Kyiv on the territory of the National Botanical Garden named after M.M. Hryshko, the “All-Ukrainian Forum of National Minorities (Communities) and Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine”, dedicated to the Day of Interethnic Harmony and Cultural Diversity, was held. The date was celebrated for the first time at the state level in accordance with the Decree of the President of Ukraine. The event was attended by the Chair of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine, Olha Herasymiuk.
The forum brought together representatives of indigenous peoples and various national minorities (communities) of Ukraine. Olha Herasymiuk welcomed the participants of the event on behalf of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine. According to her, this event demonstrates that Ukrainian society unwaveringly preserves solidarity, strength of spirit, and unity in diversity in one of the most difficult periods in the modern history of Ukraine.
“Today we are together on our land, in the full diversity of cultures and national communities. The enemy has not succeeded and will not triumph in dividing us. We stand firmly and unitedly here, on our native and unique land for all of us. We will not move a single step from it, no matter how much the enemy wants us to,“ said the Chair of the National Council.
According to Olha Herasymiuk, this day is festive, filled with songs, music and colors of different cultures. It has gathered the stories of every nation. At the same time, each community has its own tragic and magnificent experience. Together, this forms a single, heroic history of modern Ukraine – a country that today stands in defense of freedom of the entire civilized world.
“Together with the leaders of all national communities, we have been working on the project “Tolerant Media – Democratic Society” for a long time.” Our common task is to strengthen the media space of Ukraine. It must be equally accessible to everyone, so that all the peoples of Ukraine are visible and their voices are heard not only on relevant holidays or religious dates, in order that representatives of different national communities are participants in professional discussions, expert assessments, and media representation every day – just as we are here, together now.”
Olha Herasymiuk also called for uniting their voices in demanding the release of Ukrainian journalists of all nationalities from Russian prisons and basements. In particular, as an ambassador for Crimean Tatar journalist Tymur Ibrahimov, she appealed to everyone about the need to pronounce the names of colleagues thrown into Russian casemates loudly, so that no one is forgotten, in such a way that the prisoners also hear this echo and know that the Motherland is fighting for them. Tymur Ibrahimov is sentenced to 17 years for alleged terrorist activities. His four children are growing up without a father…
A special highlight of the event was the founding of the Garden of Interethnic Harmony – a living symbol of unity, mutual respect, tolerance, and social cohesion. The ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Refat Chubarov, members of the Mejlis – Riza Shevkiiev and Eskender Bariiev, as well as the Mufti of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea Aider Rustemov.
The celebrations were attended by First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Korniienko, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Olha Kuryshko, Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers Oleh Nemchinov, Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Mykola Tochytskyi, and Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Yelenskyi.
