Well, here we are in 2022 and London once again welcomed in the New Year with a huge fireworks display – back with a bang after a few Covid-hit years – but there was a special tribute in this year’s festivities that really touched people.
Here’s a video to give you a flavour of what we’re talking about:
Obviously, during a time when we all reflect on the past year, it felt equally pertinent to take stock of what continues to happen in Ukraine.
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There were reports of blasts from artillery not long after the bells tolled for 2023, a stark reminder that the invasion by Russia is far from over and that those still remaining in the country could face a lot more strife before this is all over.
During the big New Year's Eve show in the British capital, a large show of solidarity had been organised, with fireworks streaming off around the London Eye and the Ukrainian winning Eurovision entry ‘Stefania’ playing for the massed crowds.
The song is particularly important because after Kalush Orchestra took the top spot in this year’s contest, it was agreed that this year’s event would take place in Liverpool because it cannot take place in Ukraine.
The London Eye was also lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
The tribute – and others from around the world – showed that the plight of the Ukrainian people has not been forgotten, and recognised that more must be done to – hopefully – bring the fighting to a conclusion in 2023.
The ‘huge’ show of unity with the embattled Ukrainians was remarked upon by many online, with one writing: “Can we please talk about this part from the London fireworks?? Sobbing.”
Another said: “London just gave a nod to Ukraine in their new years fireworks, absolutely beautiful. Slava Ukraini.”
A third wrote: “A beautiful show of support and solidarity with Ukraine in London's new year's firework display.”
In a New Year’s message to the Russian people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenkskyy accused his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of ‘hiding’ behind his people, vowing that they would lose the war and the ‘terrorist state’ would receive no forgiveness.
He said: "Thank you to everyone who protects Ukraine! Thanks to everyone who is now on the front line!"
Addressing the people, he said: “And what will be with all of you, citizens of Russia, does not concern him,
“Your leader wants to show that he has the troops behind him and that he is ahead. But he is just hiding.
“He hides behind the troops, behind missiles, behind the walls of his residences and palaces.”
In a nine-minute message – his longest ever – Putin aimed barbs at the west, claiming that Russia is engaged in a ‘special military operation’ to protect its ‘motherland’.
"The West lied about peace.
“It was preparing for aggression... and now they are cynically using Ukraine and its people to weaken and split Russia.
"We have never allowed this, and will never allow anybody to do this to us," he said.
If nothing else, let’s hope that 2023 can bring about the right end to this conflict and see no escalation.
Topics: London, UK News, Ukraine, Russia, Politics, Vladimir Putin
Tom Wood