Ukrainian flag raised in Town ahead of independence day

‘YOU will never know how much this means to us,’ said Ukrainian woman Olga Turkoglu after raising her country’s flag outside St Peter Port Constables’ Office.

Parish administrator Evita Bormane, left, and Ukrainian national Olga Turkoglu with the Ukrainian flag that was raised outside St Peter Port Constables’ Office yesterday to mark the country’s flag day. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 33537811)

Yesterday was the country's flag day, ahead of its independence day today, and Mrs Turkoglu said how important this day was to Ukrainians living in the Bailiwick and further afield.

‘Our flag has been in existence for quite some time – through people being happy, sad and throughout wars,’ she said.

‘In Ukraine this is our flag but we have a second flag that is red and black because when you are in war and the blood gets on it, that’s what colour our flag goes, so it’s so important to keep our flag flying here and around the world so that people know about our country and becoming independent.’

Ukraine gained independence in 1991 as the Soviet Union dissolved. But in 2014 Russia annexed Crimea, and then in February 2022 it invaded Ukraine.

Thousands have died and millions have been displaced by the war, which is still raging in eastern Europe.

Olga Turkoglu was tasked with raising the flag outside the St Peter Port Constables’ Office. (Picture by Peter Frankland 33537813)

Mrs Turkoglu said that it was important that Ukraine was recognised as an independent country.

‘For so long our language was forbidden and people thought Ukraine was not a country,’ she said.

‘I was born in 1988 so was always taught at school that we were not a country, so it is so important now that people recognise that it is.’

She said knowing that people were thinking of the country brings her and other Ukrainians living in Guernsey great comfort.

‘People often say “I wish I could do something to help your country” and I always say to them that people knowing about Ukraine and talking about it gives us more strength than you can imagine.

‘And it is always nice to see people flying the Ukrainian flag around the island.’

The flag-raising at the constables’ office was organised by parish douzenier Evita Bormane.

‘It is important to keep your roots strong when you are so far away from home and to show solidarity with people at home,’ she said.

The Ukrainian flag was also due to be raised at the Weighbridge.