Free Sunflower Crafts Show Support For Ukraine

Posted on: Thursday, August 4, 2022

Swathes of bright sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine, are set to show local support for the country this month. The Friendship Sunflowers project has been launched by Newark and Sherwood District Council to help welcome the new members of our community.

Organised by the Council’s Arts Development Team, free workshops are being held throughout the district to make the colourful blooms which makers of all ages will be able to take home and display to show their support. There’s also an opportunity to make a second sunflower which will be used in the creation of a large textile artwork and displayed in the district at a future date.

Since March, 159 refugees from the country have been welcomed into the district as part of the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, with residents opening their arms and their homes to help them.

The free sunflower-making workshops will be held across the district in August, coinciding with the Independence Day of Ukraine, usually celebrated on 24th August.

Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We are aware that our Ukrainian friends may find it a little more difficult to celebrate this year but we felt it was important that this day didn’t go unacknowledged in our district. The sunflower is a strong symbol of hope and unity for Ukraine and we hope that this gesture will help these new members of our community to feel welcome and show our solidarity with them.”

Find details of when and where workshops will be taking place as they are announced at www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/artsdevelopment/getinvolved.