The six local francophone Roman Catholic parishes that make up the region’s L’Unitê pastorale du soleil levant have partnered with the Creating Centre and the Abor Gallery Cultural Centre in Vankleek Hill on a three-day event called Together for Ukraine/Ensemble pour l’Ukraine.
The event is the result of a recent discussion among parish members about how to show support for Ukraine during its war against Russia. The final plan includes an art exhibition from June 3 to 5 on the first- and second-floor of Higginson House at 36 Home Avenue, the heritage building that houses the Arbor Gallery. Works by local and regional artists and also arts students from local schools will form the main displays.
The Saturday session of the event includes a walk-in conference at the gallery, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with guest speakers, Luc Chénier of Alexandria and Dymtro Gordiienko of St-Eugène. Chenier, now living in Montréal, is originally from Hawkesbury and is the chief executive officer of the Kyiv Post, the largest English-language newspaper in Ukraine. Gordiienko, a former resident of Ukraine, now works as a mechanic in the area.
The Arbor Gallery opening hours for the Ukraine solidarity event are noon to 4 p.m., Friday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
