On Friday, February 24th, Mayor John Tecklenburg will preside over the Charleston Vigil for Ukraine where posters proclaiming “365 Days Defending Freedom” and people praying for a peaceful end to the war in Ukraine will mark exactly one year since Russia invaded this bordering country of 41 million people. The vigil will take place in front of Charleston City Hall from 6 pm until 7 pm.
The vigil will open with the tolling of the bells of St. Michael's Church for approximately 72 seconds in a tribute to the 7,155 civilian deaths during the Russian invasion of Ukraine as of February 5th, 2023, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which also reported another 11,662 civilians injured during this same period.
Next, acclaimed local musicians Ulyana Machneva and Nadia Fadda will lead the singing of the Ukraine National Anthem, the opening lines of which in English state: “Ukraine's freedom has not yet perished nor has her glory. Upon us, fellow Ukrainians, fate shall smile once more.”
Remarks and prayers will be rendered by The Reverend Randy Shirley, Associate to the Rector and Chief of Staff at St. Michael's Church, and by The Reverend Dr. Eric Childers, Senior Pastor at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church.
Noted civic and academic leaders to speak at the vigil will include: Roman Pekar, Ukrainian community advocate and artist; Kenneth Marolda, CHS4Ukraine Treasurer and co-owner of Marolda Enterprises; and Max Kovalov PhD, Instructor of International Studies and Bennett Director of the Mroz Global Leadership Institute, College of Charleston.
Since early January, a large Ukraine Flag remains draped over the front balcony at City Hall. During the vigil City Hall's exterior façade will be illuminated in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukraine flag. Limited street closures near the immediate intersection of Broad and Meeting Streets will begin at 5:30 pm.
