First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska began her visit to Portugal by opening a Ukrainian bookshelf at the Municipal Library of Cascais.
“I am pleased to be here on an optimistic occasion – the opening of a book collection that will expand knowledge about Ukraine and unite our countries in truth. I believe that culture is stronger than destruction, and we are stronger with it,” Olena Zelenska said.
The opening was the result of the joint efforts of the Embassy of Ukraine in Portugal, the Ukrainian Community, the Ukrainian Institute and the Office of the Crimea Platform. So far, 200 such shelves have been created in 50 countries of Europe, Asia and America.
The First Lady also thanked Mayor Carlos Carreiras for making the shelf possible. In addition, she highlighted his consistent support for Ukraine, including sheltering Ukrainians from the very beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. Moreover, Cascais provides humanitarian support and financial assistance for the reconstruction of educational infrastructure in Bucha and Irpin.
“In particular, the 500 thousand euros allocated to Bucha were used to reconstruct a lyceum and an elementary school. Both institutions are currently operating offline, providing education for hundreds of children,” the President's wife said.
Olena Zelenska also attended the unveiling of a memorial plaque in Lisbon commemorating the victims of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine.
“Both our countries lived through a very difficult 20th century, fighting against dictatorships and tyranny. And now Ukraine is forced to defend itself against revanchism and encroachment by the very empire that organized the Holodomor. The great-grandchildren of those who survived the artificial famine are now forced to save their lives from Russian missiles,” she said.
The Parliament of Portugal recognized the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as a genocide of the Ukrainian people back in 2017. The First Lady thanked for condemning the crimes and supporting justice, including historical justice.