55 Ukrainian Children Arrive in La Seu d'Urgell for Peace Holiday Program
War-affected Ukrainian youth received a heartfelt welcome in Spain's La Seu d'Urgell for a solidarity vacation. The initiative offers rest, local excursions, and peace-focused events backed by church and civic leaders.
Key Points
- Group aged 6-16 from war zones welcomed by Bishop Serrano, mayor, and diplomats at Church of the Immaculada.
- Week features cultural tours, leisure, La Seu d'Urgell visit, and Andorra's Meritxell sanctuary.
- Led by Fundació del Convent de Santa Clara with Diocese of Urgell support; ends with July 18 Mass.
- Includes emotional recovery activities emphasizing peace and solidarity values.
Fifty-five Ukrainian children and teenagers aged six to 16 arrived in La Seu d'Urgell on Monday for the "Vacances amb Pau: d'Ucraïna a la Seu d'Urgell" solidarity initiative, receiving a warm welcome at the Church of the Immaculada in the diocesan seminary.
The group, from war-affected areas and accompanied by adults, will enjoy a week of cultural, leisure, and local discovery activities aimed at providing rest, emotional recovery, and an emphasis on peace and solidarity values. Planned events include continued integration sessions on Monday, a tour of La Seu d'Urgell on Tuesday, and a visit to Andorra on Wednesday at the Nostra Senyora de Meritxell sanctuary-basilica.
Bishop of Urgell Josep-Lluís Serrano led the reception, alongside Sor Lucía Caram, director of the Fundació del Convent de Santa Clara; La Seu d'Urgell mayor Joan Barrera; Vicar General Ignasi Navarri, rector of Sant Ot parish; Vicar General Josep M. Mauri; Spain's ambassador to Andorra Carles Pérez-Desoy; Ukraine's general consul in Barcelona Olena Trónina; and Catalonia's senior police chief Manuel Rodríguez. The children joined a welcome and hospitality activity organized by Spain's National Police.
Ukrainian priest Mn. Taras Kogut, who serves Ukrainian communities in Guissona and nearby areas, led a prayer for the children and their families. He invited attendees to the program's closing Mass on Saturday, July 18, at noon in Urgell's Santa Maria Cathedral, presided over by Bishop Serrano and featuring Guissona's Ukrainian community and choir.
The program is led by the Fundació del Convent de Santa Clara, with backing from the Diocese of Urgell, La Seu d'Urgell town council, and various local social and institutional partners.
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