The day after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony, an exceptional gathering space officially opened its doors:
The Ukrainian House, named ‘Volia Space’
Located at Le Trabendo in Parc de la Villette, this house is the result of close collaboration between France and Ukraine and stands as a powerful symbol of solidarity and friendship.
The venue was packed for the opening of ‘Volia Space’. Among the distinguished guests, Matvii Bidnyi, Ukraine’s Minister of Sports and Youth, described the space as Ukraine’s headquarters in Paris during the Olympic Games. He explained that ‘Volia Space’ is not only a place for visitors from around the world to discover Ukrainian culture and athletic achievements but also a platform to raise awareness about the daily realities Ukrainians face under Russian aggression.
Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, France’s Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, expressed France’s unwavering support for Ukraine. She reminded attendees that seven Ukrainian teams have been hosted in France, benefiting from 3,000 hours of training at French facilities. “We want to support you in the best possible way, until victory. We know how challenging your training conditions have been, how many facilities have been destroyed, and how many athletes have been killed in this war of aggression,” she said.
Vadym Omelchenko, Ukraine’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France, also addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of this gathering place and its role in offering support during these difficult times.
The inauguration featured a moving collective rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem, “Chtche ne vmerla Ukraïny i slava, i volia”, a heartfelt ode to Ukraine. The Dakh Daughters then delivered an unforgettable concert.
Upcoming Events
In the days ahead, ‘Volia Space’ will host exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, Ukrainian cooking classes, and meet-and-greets with athletes, filmmakers, and other notable Ukrainian figures. Outdoors, large screens have been set up to allow visitors to watch live broadcasts of Olympic Games events.
Practical Information
The Ukrainian House ‘Volia Space’ is open to the public daily from 12 PM to 9 PM, free of charge, until August 10. It is located at Le Trabendo, Parc de la Villette, 211 Av. Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris. For more details and to register for events, visit uahouse2024.space/fr.
‘Volia Space’ aims to be a place of sharing, support, and celebration of Ukrainian resilience, offering visitors an unforgettable immersion in Ukrainian culture and traditions.
