How many Ukrainians have moved to Alsace in the past 4 years, and what other connections exist between the region and your country?
There are no exact statistics, as arrivals are not recorded, but I estimate that there are currently at least 5,000 Ukrainians, mainly women and children, living in Alsace. Some territories, due to their geographical position, become currency during conflicts. In Alsace, you understand this. We do too. Both you and we have experienced battles on our lands during both world wars. In a completely different context, another common point between Alsace and Ukraine is wine. I brought the winemaker from Heiligenstein, Daniel Ruff, to Ukraine, and he was very surprised by the quality of our cellars. Our vineyards are mainly located in southern Ukraine, in the regions of Odessa, Kherson, Mykolaiv, as well as in Crimea, temporarily occupied by Russia. Many suffer from the war like the famous Shabo estate, but damages are quickly repaired and production continues despite everything.
“A way for us to resist is access to culture”
Winegrowing is like culture. Two activities that illustrate Ukrainian resilience…
This is what we call the mentality of the broken window. Take the city of Kharkiv, located 35 km from the Russian border: it would have been an easy target for the Russians, but after each attack or bombing, the damages are immediately repaired and the city continues to thrive. A way for us to resist is access to culture. Since the start of the war, there has been a 30% increase in visits to museums and theaters. Some performances at the national Ivan Franko theater in Kyiv are sold out until the end of the year. Culture is a mental refuge and a weapon of resistance, making it a target for the Russians. Since the beginning of the hostilities, which for me date back to 2014 with the Donbass, the Russians have damaged 1,630 heritage sites, of which 36 have been completely destroyed. 2,437 cultural infrastructures such as theaters, cinemas, etc., have also been affected. 498 are completely destroyed. It’s a form of genocide. They also target the language: when they get hold of a library, all books in Ukrainian are destroyed.
“The concert proceeds will help finance a mobile operating block near the front”
A charity concert is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, in Strasbourg. What is the spirit behind this event?
The Kyiv Camerata, conducted by Keri-Lynn Wilson, a Canadian conductor of Ukrainian descent, has been touring many Ukrainian cities since 2022 to boost the country’s morale. But this ensemble also performs internationally for commemorative dates. The concert proceeds will help finance a mobile operating block near the front; they will also support the #WarmthForUkraine operation for sending generators to fill the energy system gaps targeted by the Russians. But beyond this charitable aspect, this concert also aims to give strength to those living far from their country, participating in a form of cultural diplomacy that has already been implemented in Strasbourg with Ukrainian bookshelves at the BNU and the Ukrainian audio guide at the Rohan Palace.
