A celebration of Ukraine and Thurles at local community centre

Last Saturday, the Ukrainian community held an event to thank people in Thurles.

The open day was held at the Thurles Ukrainian Community Centre on O’Donovan Rossa Street.

Thurles residents were invited to visit the centre to experience Ukrainian traditions and culture.

The institution was established in Thurles last year, thanks to active Ukrainians and Irish patrons.

Chairperson of the Thurles Ukrainian Community Centre John Gleeson said:

“I’m glad that Ukrainians in our town have their own cultural space and place for meetings. I’m glad they share their traditions with us,” said Mr Gleeson.

Ukrainians set up a food zone with various types of their traditional cuisine.

There were borscht with sour cream and garlic scones, cabbage rolls in tomato sauce, sandwiches with herring and bacon.
Ukrainian singers and musicians entertained the guests.

Head of the centre, Natalia Chaplyhina, said:

“We organised the Open Door Day at the Ukrainian Centre in order to show our gratitude to the Irish.”

Also, at the Ukrainian Centre the organisers arranged an exhibition of ceramic products that Ukrainians made with their own hands.

Craftswoman Tetyana Cherkas said: “I ordered the clay from the quarry, which is located near the war zone near the Ukrainian’s Slovyansk.”

The Irish got to know Ukrainian culture with interest, and wished the Ukrainian people victory in the war with aggressive Russia.

Anna Dovgoshey is a Ukrainian journalist living in Thurles.