AURI together with CCLD opened the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Сavan

The Association of Ukrainians in Republic of Ireland (AURI), with the strong support of Cavan County Local Development, opened the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Cavan as part of the Palianytsia charity hub in a new building on Bridge Street.

 The Centre will continue to run the Wellbeing Programme, After School Support and Ukrainian Saturday School, Intensive One to One Counselling and Group Counselling Supports, as well as group Networking, Raising Community Awareness, and Supporting people into Education, Training and Employment.

A heartfelt, almost family opening celebration took place on April 8, 2023. The first part of the event was devoted to celebrations and congratulations from local authorities, our Irish friends and specialists from various fields who are now working with Ukrainians.

We express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the employees of Cavan County Local Development, Cllr John Paul Feeley, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Party, Chair of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly and TD for Cavan-Monaghan Brendan Smith. Thanks to these people, Ukrainians in Cavan have everything they need for a safe, comfortable and socially rich life, and together we can do even more for our common Victory and support for Ukrainians left at home. We also thank the Community Foundation for Ireland, Healthy Ireland and SICAP for their support.

The Chairman of The Association of Ukrainians in Republic of Ireland Sergiy Balan said: “Here we will create our culture, we will communicate in Ukrainian and engage in creativity. This place will be uniting for Ukrainians and friendly with the Irish, who are already native to us. This will be our Ukrainian oasis.”

In the second part of the event, parents and children attending the classes of the Ukrainian school, art classes, dances, and a choir were invited. Children received certificates and gifts, teachers presented themselves and their experience.

In addition, congratulations in the format of songs were heard from the Failte Isteach choir, in which Ukrainians, Irish and representatives of other nationalities sing, and in the format of dances from our little Ukrainian dancers.

We are grateful to everyone whose efforts were invested in the opening of the center – to the local authorities, our Irish friends, our Ukrainian volunteers and teachers, and special thanks to the children who make this place sincere and cozy.