Several foreign representative offices in Taiwan expressed solidarity with Ukraine with film screenings on Friday, marking the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Italian Economic Trade and Cultural Promotion Office (IETCPO) in Taipei organized a screening of “Kordon,” a documentary by Italian director Alice Tommasini, in the auditorium of the Eslite bookstore in the city’s Xinyi District.
The documentary tells the story of five Ukrainian volunteers at a suburban train station on the border with Hungary, where they work to aid refugees as they flee the war-torn country.
IETCPO Representative Davide Giglio told CNA the film portrays the tragedies refugees, especially women and children, must endure in trying to cross Ukrainian borders and reach other European countries.
The screening of “Kordon” was part of efforts to screen the film in 50 countries on Friday, the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to document the trauma from the war, especially how it impacts women and children, Giglio said.
“The Italian stance, which coincides with the stance of the European Union and NATO, (is that) wars of aggression have no place in the 21st century,” Giglio said. “War really has no reason to be in international relations today.”
Giglio praised Taiwan for providing humanitarian assistance even though it is relatively remote from Ukraine.
“This shows you (Taiwan) that are very compassionate about the plight of the Ukrainians. And I think this is also a way maybe for Europeans to show appreciation locally and to create awareness about the dangers and agony of way,” Giglio said.
Filip Grzegorzewski, representing the European Union in Taiwan, said in his remarks that he wants to take the opportunity to thank Taiwan.
“While some countries around the world have decided not to condemn Russia’s aggression, Taiwan has shown its commitments to democracy and the rules-based international order,” Grzegorzewski said.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for European Affairs Vincent Chin-hsiang Yao (???) said on behalf of Taiwan’s foreign ministry, he would like to express the staunchest support for the Ukrainian people in their fight against authoritarian expansion.
Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Taiwan’s government and people have been working very closely with our democratic European partners to provide humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people, Yao said.
“Taiwan has helped build temporary shelters and provided medical supplies to Ukrainian refugees, and donated funds to cities on the front line for purchasing electricity generators for the very harsh winter days,” Yao said.
Overall, Taiwan’s people and government have donated nearly 700 tons of commodities and nearly US$50 million to help Ukrainian refugees, Yao said, adding that Taiwan has pledged another US$56 million this year for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
“Cooperation and solidarity among democratic countries are more important than ever, and Taiwan is and has always been keen on working with our democratic partners to safeguard peace and stability in this region and beyond,” Yao said.
Meanwhile, later in the evening on Friday at Eslite Art House at Taipei’s Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, the Bureau Français de Taipei will screen the Ukrainian drama film “Klondike,” which tells the story of a family living on the Ukrainian-Russian border when war erupted.
The screening of the film, directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Maryna Er Gorbach, aims to salute the people of Ukraine and reiterate support and solidarity with Ukraine at all levels, according to the Bureau Français de Taipei.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel