On February 3, while documenting life in the city of Kyiv under extreme conditions following Russian combined attacks, museum staff managed to visit one of the locations where residents of the capital were being treated to warm żurek – a traditional Polish soup.
The solidarity action “Warm Soup for Kyiv” (“Ciepła zupa dla Kijowa”) was organized by Bartłomiej Szczoczarz, owner of the Tawerna La Capitana restaurant in Kraków (Poland). On his Facebook page he wrote: “We cannot pass by and do nothing to help people in need. Thousands of people are living without heating, electricity, gas, water, trying to survive in an extreme situation.”
The goal of this initiative is to provide practical assistance to Kyiv residents who, due to Russian aggression, are experiencing interruptions in heating and electricity supply amid severe frosts. To prepare and deliver lunch to Ukraine, the Poles launched a charity fundraiser on their Facebook page and called on all caring people to join in providing financial support.
The organizers managed to establish contact with the “Caritas Ukraine” Charitable Foundation and the Red Cross to assist with organizing the charity lunch. They also reached out to the Kyiv City State Administration for support.
Co-organizer of the campaign Ines Oleksy, in an exclusive comment for the War Museum, noted that this initiative is one of the ways to demonstrate solidarity between Poles and Ukrainians amid the anti-Ukrainian sentiments that have recently been stirred up in Poland.
Polish volunteers also brought computers, warm clothing, toys, and medicines for children.
However, the most important thing is the value of human relationships and the warmth of the hearts of friendly Poland!
