In August 2023, a group of young Ukrainians had the opportunity to escape the realities of war for a few days during a cultural trip to Ploeuc-l’Hermitage. With the support of Stand With Ukraine, ten Ukrainian youths from Ovruch, along with their chaperones, were warmly welcomed for a ten-day stay in the town of Côtes-d’Armor.
From August 19 to 28, 2023, ten Ukrainian children aged 9 to 16, accompanied by Natalia Rybynska, Deputy Mayor of Ovruch, were hosted by the municipality of Ploeuc-l’Hermitage and its mayor, Thibaut Guignard. This cultural trip was organized in partnership with Ovruch’s cultural center to strengthen ties between the two communities.
Ovruch, a city of 15,000 inhabitants in northern Kyiv, is the hometown of these young visitors. Tragically, it was one of the first cities targeted by Russian bombings at the onset of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
During their stay, the children enjoyed a moment of respite thanks to a rich program of visits and activities organized by the town’s teams. They explored the stunning Bay of Saint-Brieuc and attended the opening of an art exhibition showcasing works created by youth from Ovruch’s cultural center.
Solidarity in Action
This initiative is part of a broader effort by Stand With Ukraine to support Ukrainian communities through partnerships and cultural exchanges. Similar projects took place over the summer, including in Saint-Menehould. A few weeks earlier, another group of Ukrainian youths was hosted by the municipality of Paris’s 15th arrondissement.
These exchanges not only provide a break for children affected by the conflict but also build lasting friendships and mutual understanding between French and Ukrainian communities, fostering hope for the future.
