Spanish village renames itself Ukraine in solidarity

A serene white-walled village in southern Spain has renamed itself ‘Ukraine’ in sympathy with people displaced by the violence more than 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles) away.

Ukraine has been substituted for Fuentes de Andalucia on a sign at the village’s entrance, along with the country’s blue and yellow flag.

In the community of more than 7,100 residents east of Seville, streets have been dubbed City of Kyiv, Odesa, and Mariupol.

“The primary goal is to create awareness about the crisis in Ukraine, but also about other nations at war in the modern era,” Francisco Martinez told Reuters as he stood on a street in the City of Kiev.

Martinez stated that the name change was not only symbolic, adding that locals had also contributed 3,500 euros ($3,780) in less than two days for a proposed refugee centre. The hamlet intends to house up to 25 refugees at the centre or with their families.

Rafael Osuna, 68, a retiree, stated that he would take in a Ukrainian couple.

“The residents of Fuentes are quite pleased of what we are accomplishing,” he explained. “Because I live alone and have a large house, I’ve considered temporarily housing a Ukrainian couple.”