For the second time, children from the Podil district in Kyiv had the opportunity to spend a few days away from the war, hosted in Paris’s 18th arrondissement. This visit, filled with discovery and emotion, finished with a ceremony attended by Éric Lejoindre, Mayor of the 18th arrondissement, and Serhii Kovalenko, Head of the State Administration of the Podil District in Kyiv.
During the ceremony, Serhii Kovalenko reminded everyone of the tragedies Ukraine is facing: “Since the beginning of the war, more than 2,600 schools have been damaged, and over 400 have been completely destroyed. This bloody war must end as soon as possible, and for that, we must unite more closely—not just Ukrainians, but the entire civilized world.” These words struck a deep emotional chord, especially given the estimate of over 20,000 Ukrainian children abducted by Russian forces.
“Russia’s goal is to destroy Ukraine as a state, erase it from the world map, annihilate Ukrainians as a people, and sever the global connections between European nations.”
The Ukrainian leader also highlighted the deep friendship between France and Ukraine, dating back to the 10th century, with Yaroslav the Wise and his daughter Anne of Kyiv, who became Queen of France. This historical bond was reflected in the exchanges between the children and their hosts, who became friends after just a few days together. During their stay, the young visitors even performed the Ode to Joy, symbolizing a united and supportive Europe.
The program for the stay was designed to provide the children with moments of escape and discovery. They visited iconic sites such as the Eiffel Tower, Parc Astérix, the Maritime Museum, and the Champs-Élysées. Despite the language barrier and initial shyness, each child spoke during the closing ceremony. “This is the best trip of my life”, shared a Ukrainian teenager. French students from Maurice Utrillo Middle School shared meaningful moments with their Ukrainian peers and were saddened to see them leave.
As a sign of gratitude, the Ukrainian children and their guides presented gifts to the Mayor of the 18th arrondissement: a traditional Ukrainian doll and a vase crafted from an unexploded shell—transforming a symbol of destruction into a message of hope.
The Stand With Ukraine association was present to support this event, emphasizing the importance of partnerships between French and Ukrainian communities. These initiatives help forge lasting bonds, share common values, and support those affected by the war. They play a vital role in fostering cultural and human connections while strengthening the sense of belonging to a united, peaceful Europe.
