Approximately 150 people attended the vigil at City Hall to mark one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began Friday (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

One Year Since Invasion Began

Standing in solidarity: vigil held for Ukraine in Vernon

Feb 24, 2023 | 7:28 PM

People dressed in blue and yellow, carrying flags and flowers, and holding candles, gathered for a vigil to mark one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Approximately 150 turned up for the event outside Vernon City Hall Friday, Feb. 24.

People in attendance at the vigil outside Vernon City Hall (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

The event featured speeches from Andrea Malysh, Mayor Victor Cumming, MLA Harwinder Sandhu, and Teresa Durning, on behalf of MP Mel Arnold, all condemning the actions by Russia and offering support through solidarity for Ukraine and its people.

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Fedir Solovei, who fled Ukraine with his family and settled in Vernon last April, also gave a speech telling their story and thanking the community for the support they received in the past several months.

The speeches given by Malysh, Cumming, Sandhu and Durning were all translated at the vigil into Ukrainian by Kseniia Rudenko. She also translated Solovei’s speech from Ukrainian to English.

Attendees listening to a speech at the vigil outside Vernon City Hall (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

Speaking with Vernon Matters, Andrea Malysh, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Thompson Okanagan Branch and organizer of the vigil, said the day was important to commemorate.

“This is 365 days of resilience and Ukraine is still standing, that’s our slogan for today because Ukraine’s been unwavering in its efforts to keep Russia at bay and from taking over its country,” said Malysh.

“We’ve lost tens of thousands of people, mass atrocities that have happened there, and we’re here to support them. These are our families, these are our people, so [this is a] way that we can come together as a community and show our support.”

She added this was one of many vigils held across the country and around the world to mark the start of the conflict.

“That’s just showing you what kind of support there is in the free world, people standing up against this aggression and standing up for democracy,” said Malysh, adding it also acts as a symbol of support for Ukraine in its efforts to push the invaders out and reclaim the country, and for those who have had to flee their homes.

Malysh noted the support Ukrainians have been offered locally has been wonderful.

“I think the newcomers are pleasantly surprised at the support they’re getting from the community and I definitely want to thank the Vernon community [for] really stepping up. Hosts, people have come forward and opened up their homes, and that’s exactly what was needed.”

Among the newcomers was Solovei, who told Vernon Matters he did not have the words to express the reception he, his wife and two children have received since they arrived in Vernon.

“We were astonished by the support that we experienced here since we came from all the people that surround us,” Solovei said.

“We feel here not like aliens, we feel as at home.”

Solovei noted they fled February 24, 2022, before the borders closed, saying he is grateful to have been able to escape and prevent his family from facing the trauma of being in a war zone.

He added since they arrived, Solovei and his wife have gotten jobs, found accommodation, got their kids in school, and even have two cars, thanks in part to someone gifting them a vehicle upon their arrival which he called “the highest expression of kindness.”

Fedir Solovei speaking at the vigil outside Vernon City Hall (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

With 150 people braving the brisk weather for the vigil, Malysh said she was very pleased with the turnout for the event Friday evening.

“It’s such a cold night but I’m not complaining. How are the soldiers enduring in Ukraine? And people without heat? I’m not complaining,” Malysh told Vernon Matters.

“I’m surprised that many people came out because we do like to keep warm ourselves but I thank everybody that did come out.”

The crowd consisted of people of all ages and both newcomers and residents, which Malysh said “speaks volumes to our community as a whole.”

The vigil concluded with the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem.