On February 28, Le Havre hosted an exceptional day dedicated to Franco-Ukrainian friendship, marking a new milestone in the partnership between Le Havre and Mariupol, a project that Stand With Ukraine has supported since its inception in 2023.
This bond between Le Havre and Mariupol was not created overnight. In 2023, the first Mariupol delegation was welcomed in Le Havre as part of the MistoMatch initiative, led by Stand With Ukraine to connect Ukrainian and French cities through concrete cooperation projects. Since then, we have worked hand in hand with both municipalities, supported by the Embassy of Ukraine in France, to structure a sustainable and ambitious partnership.
This day in Le Havre was marked by the official signing of the friendship protocol between the two cities, in the presence of Le Havre Mayor Édouard Philippe, Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko, Ukrainian Ambassador to France Vadym Omelchenko, and Pierre Heilbronn, Special Envoy of the President of the Republic for the Reconstruction of Ukraine.
At the Sciences Po Paris Campus in Le Havre, the conference “Regards Croisés: Le Havre – Mariupol” provided an opportunity to explore the challenges of rebuilding Mariupol through the lens of Le Havre’s post-World War II experience. The speakers emphasized that rebuilding a city is not only about reconstructing infrastructure but also about restoring economic, social, and cultural dynamics.
Among them, Edward Mayor, President of Stand With Ukraine, reminded that Ukrainian cities must not only be rebuilt but also transformed:
“Le Havre is a powerful example of resilience and renewal. Destroyed during World War II, the city reinvented itself by combining memory and innovation. Just as Le Havre has done, we can imagine and build modern, dynamic cities adapted to the challenges of tomorrow.”
One of the key projects highlighted during the discussions was La Cantine de Mariupol in Dnipro, an initiative led by Stand With Ukraine and Michelin-starred chef Thierry Marx. More than just a dining space, this canteen will train displaced people and veterans in culinary professions, offering them a fresh start and professional integration.
The day concluded with an exceptional concert by the Mariupol Chamber Orchestra at Le Havre’s Theater. Exiled due to the occupation, these musicians delivered a deeply moving performance, reminding us that culture is a force of resistance and rebirth.
The bond between Le Havre and Mariupol is a tangible example of Franco-Ukrainian solidarity. Through the MistoMatch initiative, Stand With Ukraine will continue to support these exchanges and work towards inspiring other cities to follow this path.
What we do today will shape the Ukraine of tomorrow—a stronger, more modern country, deeply connected to Europe and the world.
Thank you to all our partners and engaged citizens for bringing this solidarity to life!
