By Elizabeth Barhydt
In an effort to establish a long-term cultural relationship and to provide support and assistance to the war-torn city of Izyum, a sister city program was established with Greenwich one year ago. Greenwich native Olga Litvinenko, the President and Co-Founder of the humanitarian charity USA for Ukraine, spearheaded the initiative with Dr. Inna Lazar (USA for Ukraine’s homepage at www.usaforukr.org).
The sister city program between Greenwich and Izyum was made official last April 17 with a reading of the official proclamation by First Selectman Fred Camillo. Representatives from Izyum joined via zoom.
Greenwich’s sister city was once famous for its annual strawberry festival. It now might be best known as a place of ferocious battles, mass graves, and remarkable resilience.
Its geographic location made it a key focus for the invading army. Within days of Russian’s invasion of Ukraine at the end of February 2022, the city came under intense attack. It took a month for Russian forces to take control of Izyum. On September 11, after the city was occupied for six months, Izyum was retaken in a major Ukrainian military success.
Both battles for Izyum left many dead and much of the city in ruins. More than 80 percent of residential buildings are estimated to have been destroyed. Local officials say that at least 1,000 people were killed during the battles and occupation.
Camillo, expressed his empathy for Izyum noting the parallels between the two towns. “We’re 62,300 people. They were close to 50,000,” he said. Indeed, like Greenwich, Izyum had a rich cultural life filled with music, family activities, and excellent schools.
Although the current global situation hampers in-person cultural and educational exchanges, Camillo explained the sister cities plan to engage virtually and will continue fundraising opportunities to aid Izyum’s recovery.
At the time, Greenwich resident U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal spoke about the importance of the sister city relationship. “Some in cities like Izyum,” he explained, “have been victims of war crimes and let’s be very blunt, we’re helping a sister city here that has been a victim of crimes against humanity.”
Izyum’s Mayor, Valeriy Marchenko sent a statement to Greenwich read by Olga, which said:
Dear friends of ours!
On behalf of the Izyum City Territorial Community, I congratulate you on the first anniversary of our partnership and mutual cooperation. During the year of our cooperation, we have not only sincerely loved your wonderful city, but also become good friends. We appreciate the help of the American people and sincerely thank you for your support, which strengthens our belief that Ukraine will definitely win!
We sincerely wish peace, goodness, and prosperity to the city of Greenwich and the United States of America! We wish you social harmony, respect and trust, and each family – comfort, inspiration, love and success in creating the future of their hometown! We wish you to be friendly and united.
We wish you all a peaceful sky above your heads, bright prosperity, mutual respect and great opportunities for growth and development.
Sincerely yours,
Head of the Izyum City Military Administration
Izyum district of Kharkiv region
Valerii MARCHENKO
An Exclusive Interview with Olga Litvinenko
Olga affirmed the town’s enduring commitment to aiding Izyum in an interview with the Greenwich Sentinel after the event at town hall. This dialogue underscored the broader efforts of humanitarian and cultural exchange between Greenwich and its Ukrainian sister city, a relationship forged f rom mutual respect and a shared commitment to recovery and resilience.
Olga detailed the evolution of this partnership, which began officially one year ago. “It’s been over two years since the full-scale invasion began, and our involvement from a year ago was to embody the spirit of support and partnership,” Litvinenko stated, reflecting on the progress and ongoing challenges.
The people of Greenwich have actively participate d in various initiatives, from infrastructural aid to cultural exchanges, to fortify this international bond. The upcoming week marks a significant milestone, with a series of concerts featuring the National Ensemble of Soloists, Kyiv Camerata, recognized as Ukraine’s leading chamber orchestra. These events are part of a broader effort to raise awareness and funds for the war-torn region.
“Our focus isn’t merely on restoration but also on fostering a deep, cultural understanding,” Olga explained. The concerts will feature contemporary classical Ukrainian music and will be held here in Greenwich at the Greenwich Country Day School Performing Arts Center and in New York at Carnegie Hall. These performances are intended not only as fundraisers but as a vital cultural bridge.
The initiative also aligns with tangible aid efforts on the ground in Izyum, where despite significant challenges, the community strives to heal. “Izyum has not been severely targeted recently, which is a relief, but the reality of war persists with daily risks,” Olga related, emphasizing the city’s resilience. She noted that about 80% of Izyum’s infrastructure had been destroyed a year ago, with slow but hopeful progress in rebuilding efforts.
On her most recent trip to Ukraine, Olga focused on delivering humanitarian aid directly to an orphanage serving children under the age of four. She detailed her activities during the interview:
“We went to [an orphanage] and we brought them food and supplies and some sweets to an orphanage that holds 60 kids from the ages of zero to four. And that was really special.”
For that trip the funding came from donations made by local businesses. “[The funding] was in gratitude to Pepsi and Jersey Mike’s Subs because they made a donation.”
These donations enabled her and her organization to purchase and deliver essential supplies directly to the orphanage in Ukraine.
One poignant aspect of the support involves healthcare, with the local hospital still recovering from damages. “The hospital is functioning, thankfully, but still requires substantial resources to fully restore its capabilities,” she added. Recent trips to the region by Olga and her team involved delivering essential medical supplies.
Moreover, the interview highlighted Greenwich’s assistance in the delivery of two trash trucks to Izyum, a critical step towards improving sanitation and living conditions amid the ongoing conflict. “Basic needs like trash removal are vital for maintaining a healthy living environment, which helps in normalizing life even in small ways,” she explained.
Olga, in her role with USA for Ukraine, has set ambitious fundraising goals to support more initiatives in Izyum and broader Ukraine. Her dream would be to raise $250,000 through upcoming events and initiatives. These funds are intended to cover a wide array of needs, reflecting the extensive damage and ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
The proceeds from the fundraising efforts are earmarked for several critical areas:
- Rebuilding Infrastructure: Significant portions of the funds will be allocated to reconstruct and repair damaged schools and hospitals, including essential equipment.
- Medical Supplies and Facilities: Given the ongoing conflict, there is an acute need for medical supplies. The fundraising efforts aim to replenish and support medical facilities that are essential for the health and well-being of the Izyum population.
- Humanitarian Aid: Part of the funds will also go towards general humanitarian aid, which includes food, clothing, and other essentials to assist those displaced or severely affected by the conflict. There will be a focus on women and children, and for programs to instill mental wellness especially those suffering from PTSD and/or for people who are going through losses.
- Cultural and Educational Programs: By funding cultural exchanges and educational programs, the goal is to foster a deeper understanding and connection between the communities of Greenwich and Izyum.
These fundraising activities are crucial not only for providing immediate relief but also for the long-term recovery and revitalization of Izyum, helping the community to rebuild despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict.
Get to Know Izyum | Watch the USA for Ukraine Video
In a moving visual tour, Olga takes us on an immersive journey through the city of Izyum, providing a unique perspective on its schools, hospitals, and daily challenges faced by its residents. To gain a deeper understanding of Izyum’s resilience and spirit, watch the video here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qxpo50iOwLFkw7zu4FxzBirkm5ujD9YO/view or on USA for Ukraine’s homepage at www.usaforukr.com.
