Advertisement

Ukraine Street campaign calls for Vienna square to be renamed

Hayley Maguire
Hayley Maguire - [email protected]
Ukraine Street campaign calls for Vienna square to be renamed
People have been posting notes supporting Ukraine during the war with Russia at Saint Stephen's cathedral in Vienna. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP)

A global campaign that aims to rename streets or squares in capital cities in support of Ukraine has launched an appeal in Vienna.

Advertisement

A petition in Austria is calling for the location of the St. Barbara Greek-Catholic Church in Vienna, at the junction of Schönlaterngasse and Postgasse in the 1st district, to be renamed "Ukrainerplatz".

The petition is organised by Ukraine Street - a global initiative to rename locations in capital cities across the world in honour of Ukrainians.

According to organisers of Ukraine Street, the St. Barbara Greek-Catholic Church location has been a religious, cultural and social centre for Ukrainians in Vienna for centuries.

FOR MEMBERS: ‘An unprecedented situation’: How would a gas embargo impact Austria?

Since the start of the war in February, the site has become a meeting point for the Ukrainian community in the city and a place to welcome refugees.

A statement from the group said: "Every day St. Barbara Church gathers volunteers, refugees from Ukraine, and kind-hearted people who support Ukrainians in their fight for freedom and peace."

Advertisement

The Ukraine Street campaign aims to rename 55 streets in 35 countries around the world, including many where Russian embassies or other diplomatic offices are located.

Several countries have already taken action.

Examples include Albania where the street housing the Russian and Ukrainian embassies in Tirana was renamed as Free Ukraine Street, and in Latvia where the Russian embassy address in Riga was renamed as Independent Ukraine Street.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also