PICTURES: Ukrainian independence day celebrated at Methlick community event
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A community event in Methlick provided a welcome to local Ukrainian families and celebrated the country's independence day.
It was organised by Ythan Valley Rotary Club, Methlick Community Council and the families who have settled in Aberdeenshire after having to flee due to Russia's invasion.
Also assisting was the Ythanview Hotel and the Haddo Estate.
Ukrainian national dress was worn by some of the attendees and there was an opportunity to try borscht, a soup which is enjoyed in the country and eastern Europe.
Gordon Wallace from the Rotary club said: "There are two recently re-located Ukrainian families in the village of Methlick.
"The Ythan Valley Rotary Club helped them set up here along with the Haddo Estate and the Ythanview Hotel.
"This event has been jointly organised between us and the families.
"The aim is to help them integrate into the community.
"Also other Ukrainian families who have settled in Aberdeenshire, in places like Inverurie, have also attended.
"We wanted to show support as it is an important day for them.
"Ourselves and the councillors have been helping the families get settled with things like getting the young people into school. One of the boys has just started at Meldrum Academy and the other is at Methlick Primary School.
"There has been great support from the local community."
Erik Avetisov welcomed guests to the event. He and his wife Olha and son Richard had to leave their home in Kharkiv due to the conflict. He is involved with Rotary in Ukraine and has linked up with the Ythan Valley members.
The other family that has settled in Methlick is Andrey, Svitlana, Mykola and Roman Karaban, who had to flee from Mariupol. They served borscht to the people at the event.
Ukrainian families who have settled in Aberdeenshire and need any support can attend sessions at the Ythanview Hotel, which are held every Wednesday evening at 6pm.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian flag was flown at Aberdeenshire Council's headquarters at Woodhill House to mark the independence day.
Provost of Aberdeenshire Judy Whyte said: "Whilst we cannot forget the ongoing conflict, and our work with the Ukrainian community continues, I am hopeful that we can use the day as a beacon of hope for the country and for its people living in Aberdeenshire.
"I encourage everyone to learn a little more about the culture and embrace this particular part of our diverse community.
"To the people from Ukraine living in Aberdeenshire I hope you always feel welcome here. And to the resettlement team working to provide people with a positive future, thank you.”
Also First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote to President Volodymyr Zelensky to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day and express Scotland’s continued solidarity with their efforts to resist Russian aggression.
The First Minister passed the letter to the Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, during a meeting at Bute House.
The First Minister’s letter to President Zelensky has been published online.
On August 24, the people of Ukraine mark their Independence Day – exactly six months since Russia’s invasion and 31 years since declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
The Scottish Government headquarters in Edinburgh were lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
