This morning, the city of Ovruch, Ukraine, welcomed Stand With Ukraine and Thibaut Guignard, mayor of Plœuc-l’Hermitage and vice president of the Saint-Brieuc Armor agglomeration, for the second time. The objective of this meeting was to strengthen the partnership between the two cities and outline the steps for upcoming projects. This visit marks a new stage in a collaboration that has grown over the months, thanks to joint initiatives and deep commitment.
The relationship between Ovruch, located in the Zhytomyr Oblast, and the Saint-Brieuc Armor agglomeration was initiated in March 2023 during the “Lights for Winter” campaign. A videoconference held on March 17 allowed representatives of the two cities to meet for the first time. Just a few days later, on March 28, a delegation of Ukrainian mayors, including the deputy mayor of Ovruch, visited Saint-Brieuc, Brittany, to discuss the needs of their communities and explore opportunities for collaboration.
In April 2023, Stand With Ukraine and Thibaut Guignard made their first visit to Ovruch. This event was marked by a warm welcome, reflecting the Ukrainian city’s willingness to build a strong partnership with its French counterparts. Since then, the collaboration has led to concrete projects, such as a summer trip to France for ten young Ukrainians from Ovruch, who had the chance to discover French culture while escaping the realities of war.
Continuing in this spirit, today’s visit featured a tangible gesture: the donation of computers for Ovruch’s children, generously provided by Saint-Brieuc Armor. These resources will help improve access to education and address critical needs in a context shaped by the devastation of war.
During the meeting, discussions focused on priorities for 2024, including the development of new cultural and educational exchanges, as well as initiatives focused on reconstruction.
The partnership between Plœuc-l’Hermitage and Ovruch highlights the vital role transnational cooperation can play in supporting populations affected by war. The planned projects for the future underscore the commitment of both cities to building a sustainable partnership.
