There were emotional scenes in Blairgowrie on Monday last week as the Ukrainian flag was raised in the Wellmeadow alongside the Saltire in a show of solidarity by local residents with those in the European country which is currently being invaded by Vladimir Putin’s Russian forces.
Around 100 people supported the ceremony, which was organised by members of the community over the previous weekend.
The Ukranian national anthem was played as the two flags were raised and was followed by a rendition of Blairgowrie -born Hamish Henderson’s ‘Freedom Come All Ye’.
Rattray ’s Bohdan Nastiuk spoke movingly at the event.
He said: “I would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support, it is much appreciated and very emotional seeing everyone here.
“We all stand here united, whatever our politics or religion.
“I live in Rattray with my family and both my wife and I have Ukrainian parentage.
“My parents were taken from their homes in Ukraine and aged 16 were sent to forced labour camps by the Nazis.
“My family came to Scotland as refugees in 1960.
“We have family and friends all over Ukraine and we are very, very worried about them.
“Support will be needed once the refugees come and we will be asking for your support for a long time to come unless this conflict ends.”
Deputy First Minister and local SNP MSP, John Swinney, also addressed those gathered.
He said: “I want to thank every one of you for coming along today because we all, every one of us, feels traumatised and powerless by what is going on in Ukraine.
“It doesn’t matter how large or small the events we attend are, we must stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine who are being subjected to unwarranted violence and aggression which has no place in our society.
“Acts of solidarity of this type are so important in sending a message to our friends in Ukraine and especially to those in our community who have deep connections to Ukraine of our love and solidarity at their time of need.
“In every respect people in our society are doing all that they can to help the people of Ukraine, whether that is by collecting items of clothing or medicines and other supplies which are challenging to get to people in Ukraine or by contributing financially to the appeals that are sending support directly into Ukraine.
“Our high school here in Blairgowrie raised hundreds of pounds the other day in a bake sale that the pupils undertook to support the appeals directly. These small acts are essential to demonstrate our solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
“As we speak a great deal of work is going on within the Scottish and UK governments, working with our local authorities, to find ways in which we can welcome people from Ukraine into our community and give them the love and support that they need at this trying time.
“Here in Blairgowrie, all we can do is come together as people who are drawn together by the privilege that we have to live in peace and security as we have done for every day of my life and to hope that that can be restored as quickly as possible to the people of Ukraine and that they can get on with living their lives in peace, security and safety and free of the barbarism that they are experiencing just now.”
Local councillors for the Blairgowrie and Glens ward were also in attendance.
Conservative Blairgowrie and Glens ward councillor Caroline Shiers said: “It was a privilege to join so many local people to see the Ukrainian flag raised alongside the Saltire as a gesture of solidarity with those facing the most horrendous situation in Ukraine.
“The event was dignified and emotional.
“I am so proud that the community locally is doing all it can in practical ways – including raising funds and collecting donated items.”
SNP councillor Tom McEwan commented: “The war in Ukraine is one of the most appalling events of our time and the strong support and emotional response from our community here in east Perthshire has been nothing short of amazing.
“Bohdan Nastiuk is such a brave, brave man; it takes a lot of courage when you are so emotionally connected to events like this to stand in public and ask people for support and he and his wife have my full respect for organising and talking so eloquently as we unfurled the Ukrainian flag alongside the Saltire.
“The number of people who turned out at such short notice demonstrates how our community stands strong in support of Ukraine and the families who are now refugees.”
Scott MacGregor, chair of Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council, was at the ceremony.
He said: “On behalf of the community council I would like to thank the town for showing such amazing support for the people of Ukraine.
“I am very proud of the town’s efforts to support the Ukrainian people since the war started.”
