#BeitExpertise: “Ukraine Street” Campaign

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine marked the most shocking and brutal event on the European continent since World War II. It was a continuation of the brutal Russian aggression that first began in Ukraine in 2014 and was consistent with the historical pattern of Russian aggression towards Ukraine. Russia demonstrates quite poor historical knowledge about Ukraine and seems to forget that Ukraine is a sovereign state.

Therefore, two years ago, in response to Russia's cynical efforts to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and independence, we launched the "Ukraine Street" campaign to garner worldwide backing for Ukraine's pursuit of democracy and freedom.

As a gesture of solidarity with the brave Ukrainian people defending their independence in the face of Russia's unprovoked aggression, we proposed that cities worldwide consider renaming streets to display Ukraine on their maps proudly. It's a powerful symbol of unity and support for a nation fighting for its fundamental rights.

Surge in Support

The initiative, first launched in the spring 2022, drew inspiration from European nations that began renaming streets hosting Russian embassies and consulates after Ukraine in early March. Shortly thereafter, on March 28, 2022, residents from 34 countries across Europe, North America, and Australia were encouraged to sign a petition advocating for the renaming of streets housing Russian embassies and consulates in their cities to "Ukraine Streets" as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

The campaign has received official endorsement and support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

“Forcing Russian embassies around the globe to be located on Ukraine Streets is part of our worldwide effort to isolate Russia and deputinize the world. Russians will have to read the name ‘Ukraine’ everywhere and anytime literally. A daily reminder that Ukraine is a sovereign state which will prevail and which will always exist, no matter how hard Russia tries to deny our right to exist,” Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said about the campaign.

We enlisted the support of Ukrainian and international artists and celebrities to help promote the Ukraine Street campaign to their followers.

Not lost in translation

To realise the campaign in Europe, North America, and Australia, we worked closely with embassies and Ukrainian activists, collaborated with local authorities and ordinary citizens, forged partnerships with local media outlets, and engaged with business and cultural leaders. We aimed to emphasise the vital importance of supporting Ukraine in this unjust conflict. Renaming streets symbolised a coalition of nations standing alongside Ukraine in upholding the values of democracy and freedom.

Coordinating translations into over 20 national languages was especially crucial and time-consuming. Volunteers, residents, friends, and colleagues from various countries who actively participated in translating and distributing campaign materials played an indispensable role in achieving these results. Without their unwavering support, none of this would have been possible. We also began to leverage the capabilities of AI technologies for the multilingual translation of campaign materials during this time.

Challenging Journey

However, the process of renaming streets was far from straightforward or swift.

For instance, negotiations with London politicians began in May 2022, but it wasn't until February 2023 that the section of the street near the Russian Embassy in Westminster was finally renamed Kyiv Road.

When efforts to rename a street fell short, our international friends found alternative ways to show their support. Such a scenario unfolded in Woollahra, an eastern suburb of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. While the local government's proposal to rename the street received 57% of the votes, the residents living on that street didn't garner enough support to make the change. It seemed like a setback. However, the local authorities remained determined. They placed road signs on Fullerton Street with the proud message “We stand with Ukraine”.

Expanding Beyond Russian Embassies

As the campaign unfolded, spurred by interactions with residents, Ukrainian activists, and diplomats, its objectives evolved and broadened. When it proved challenging to rename streets housing Russian embassies, efforts expanded to advocate for renaming other significant landmarks and locations.

For example, in Tallinn, a place of symbolic value in the center of the city was named Ukraine Square. The historic buildings in this area were nearly destroyed in the March 1944 bombings by the Soviet Union, mirroring the destruction caused by the Russian military in Ukrainian cities today.

In New York, the intersection between Brighton Beach Avenue and Coney Island Avenue was designated as "Ukrainian Way". Brighton Beach is renowned for its large population of Russian-speaking immigrants.

In Paris, the 'Jardin de Kyiv au Peuple ukrainien' has been established next to the Champs Elysees, adjacent to the Winston Churchill monument. This location holds historical significance as it is associated with celebrating Paris' liberation on August 25, 1944, coinciding unexpectedly with Ukraine's Independence Day, adding an extra layer of significance to the celebration.

In eleven countries including the United Kingdom, Poland, Bulgaria, Sweden, Iceland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Albania, Norway, and Canada, "Ukrainian" names have been assigned to streets and squares where Russian diplomatic missions are located or situated nearby.

In a remarkable show of solidarity with Ukraine, 24 cities in 19 countries have already changed street names.

On August 24, 2023, the people of Paris marked the 32nd anniversary of Ukraine's Independence by inaugurating the “Jardin de Kyiv au Peuple ukrainien” (Kyiv Garden for the Ukrainian People) in the heart of the city, near the Champs Elysees.

On June 7, 2023, the Op?tina ?air Park in Skopje was officially named "Ukraine".

On May 12, 2023, in Palermo, the final section of viale Strasbourg was renamed to piazzale Ucraina.

On February 24, 2023, a section of London's Bayswater Road was officially renamed as Kyiv Road. This renaming, covering a 25-meter-long stretch outside the Russian Embassy, was marked to coincide with the anniversary of the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The decision to rename the road was made in response to a request from the Ukrainian community in Westminster.

On January 16, 2023, “Odesaplatz” was officially inaugurated in Berlin. Before this, on October 24, 2022, the green space in front of the cultural center "Schwartzsche Villa" in the district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf (Berlin-Steglitzofficiall) gets its new name "Kharkiv Park".

In October 2022, the Warszawa city council passed a resolution to name the pedestrian and cycle path created along Belvedere Street near the Russian embassy as the Alley of the Victims of Russian aggression. The motivation for the decision states that the new name is in line with the proposed position given the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.

In September 2022, the city of Sofia named the alley in front of the Russian Embassy? —? “Heroes of Ukraine” with fresh flowers planted by the city municipality next to it.?

On September 12, 2022, as a result of the joint efforts of the Embassy of Ukraine to North Macedonia, the Lesya Ukrainka Ukrainian Community, and the Centar Municipality of Skopje, a Ukrainian Alley was opened in the heart of the capital of North Macedonia. The alley is decorated with the Ukrainian flag and the slogan “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!”

“Ukraine Street” campaign also inspires activists around the world to join this initiative and start their own. For example, on August 24, 2022, the 31st anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, and the six-month milestone since the start of Russia’s invasion in February, the corner of Brighton Beach Avenue and Coney Island Avenue in New York was given an alternative name of Ukrainian Way. This initiative was submitted to the NYC Mayor’s Office by a local activist.

In the process of uniting around the campaign on July 15, 2022, The College of Mayors and Aldermen of Luxembourg decided to name a new road Boulevard de Kyiv. It connects the central railway station to the municipality.

Following its condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Woollahra Council (Sydney) has come up with a unique and colourful way to “put Ukraine on the map.” The Council placed street blades featuring a strong message of support ‘We Stand with Ukraine’ on Fullerton Street where the Russian Consulate is located.

In June 2022, a Ukraine Square was established in the Lembitu Park behind the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tallinn. This location is rather symbolic as the historic buildings of the area were almost destroyed in the March 1944 bombings of Tallinn by the Soviet Union. This fact parallels the similar destruction brought by the Russian military to Ukrainian cities today.

In May 2022, two Ukrainian “centers of gravity” appeared on the map of Cannes – namely, the Taras Shevchenko Square and the Ukrainian House.

In April 2022, four Polish cities named squares in honor of Ukraine: the Defenders of Ukraine 2022 Square in Poznan, the Free Ukraine Square in front of the Russian consulate in Krakow, the Heroic Mariupol Square near the Russian consulate general in Gdansk, and the Free Ukraine Square in Gdynia.

On April 28, 2022, Stockholm officially renamed the park next to the Russian embassy in Sweden to “Fria Ukrainas plats”/ “Place of Free Ukraine”.

On April 27, 2022, a landmark located only 50 meters away from the Russian embassy in Reykjavik was given the name of Kyiv Square. Officially,? the square now has a double name in Old Icelandic and Icelandic – K?nugareur / Kyiv-torg, respectively. The inclusion of the Old Icelandic version of the name K?nugareur is intended to emphasize the thousand-year history of Kyiv.

Several countries changed the addresses of their Russian embassies in the initial weeks of Russia's war against Ukraine: Albania has renamed part of the street housing the Russian Embassy to Free Ukraine Street, Lithuania has renamed the relevant street to Ukrainian Heroes Street, Latvia changed the street to Independent Ukraine Street, and Norway changed the name of the square in front of the Russian Embassy to Ukrainian Square. Authorities of the Czech capital, Prague, renamed part of Korunova?ní Street runs in front of the Russian Embassy to Ukrainian Heroes Street. Also, a railway bridge next to the site was named after Vitaliy Skakun, Hero of Ukraine. Toronto joined European partners by unveiling “Free Ukraine” signs along the front of the Russian Consulate on St. Clair Avenue. This area will now be called “Free Ukraine Square” on an honorary basis.