Since Russia launched its brutal invasion of Ukraine, more than 4 million refugees fled the country, from which over 2.5 million have been welcomed by Poland. 

The massive solidarity and support shown by the Polish population are well appreciated by the newcomers, from which several groups decided to show their gratitude by cleaning up parks in different parts of the country. 

In fact, freshly arrived Ukrainians imported an annual “Sobotnik” spring tradition with themselves. The latter consists of taking special care of green spots by cleaning them up in a larger group. 

Such cleaning-up events have been organised in Poland’s main cities (Warsaw, Kraków, Poznań, Wrocław, Łódź, Gdańsk, Gdynia, Koszalin,…) and also in Białe Błota (northern Poland) and Czarna Hańcza near Suwałki among others. 

“Citizens from Ukraine, who are currently staying in Suwałki in Podlasie, asked the city authorities if they could organise the so-called Sobotnik. It is an annual spring tradition. Ukrainians organise parks and squares in a community effort,” Kamil Sznel, head of the Suwałki Social Communication and Promotion Department told Onet.  

 “We wanted to repay the city and the people who live here for welcoming us. They gave us a house, food, and clothes,” Irina Kowal, a Ukrainian resident of Suwałki, told TVN24.

Unsurprisingly, the “Sobotnik” initiative was welcomed enthusiastically by the local population. What’s more, additional similar actions have already been planned for the upcoming weeks in several Polish towns and cities.  

Image: Katarzyna Matejek / Foto Gość

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen