On Tuesday 22 October, the Mayor planted a tree in the grounds of King’s Lynn Town Hall that was gifted to the borough by the local Ukrainian community on their Independence Day in August.
Cllr Paul Bland, Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, said: “I am pleased to accept this wonderful gift of a Viburnum tree on behalf of our Ukrainian community. When the idea was mentioned at the Independence Day celebrations in August, it seemed such a good idea to recognise the bonds that have formed between us since the conflict began.
“I am now aware of the significance of the Kalyna (Viburnum) to the Ukrainian people – from the birth of the universe and the sun, the moon and the stars, to the symbolism of your roots in your native homeland, and I hope these roots that you have formed today by planting the tree here is symbolic of your strong bonds with us.”
Liudmyla Paklina, who moved to West Norfolk from Ukraine two years ago, said: “Today is an important day for Ukrainian people in West Norfolk. For us, the Kalyna tree is a symbol of our homeland Ukraine. Please accept our sincere and warmest words of gratitude. Thank you for the openness of your hearts.”
The Mayor was also presented with a book called War in Ukraine: Survival Diaries from Occupied Mariupol. The book was written by close friend of Larysa who gifted it to the Mayor.
