The Ukrainians in Seefeld integrated very well, says Katharina Braun from the local helpers’ group. Daycare, school, German course: “It all runs very quietly in town.” Now, just before the first anniversary of the Ukraine war, it is not an easy time for the women who have fled. On a day of “high tension” they didn’t just want to sit there and cry, but also show their deep gratitude for the warm welcome. That’s why there will also be local dishes from Ukrainian women at the Hechendorf weekly market on Friday, which they prepare themselves. Traditional dishes such as borscht and finger food are offered from 3 p.m. The delicacies from home are free of charge.
It is one of several events in the district of Starnberg marking the first anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine on Friday. Simultaneously with the weekly market, a non-denominational prayer for peace begins at 3 p.m. in the Starnberg Friedenskirche (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Straße 16). Here the evangelical pastor Johannes de Fallois, the catholic colleague Tamás Czopf and the network “Starnberg helps” want to give comfort and confidence. The Ukrainian artist Anastasiia Lapochkina will sing songs from her homeland and an intercession will be read out in Ukrainian. Donations of clothing for the swap market will then be accepted.
A Ukrainian gives personal testimony about the feeling of heteronomy
At the other end of Lake Starnberg, a vigil for peace continues from 5 p.m. On the square in front of the Seeshaupt town hall, citizens will look at the outbreak of war and the consequences together with Ukrainian women. A Ukrainian will sing for it; another will tell her personal story and the sense of heteronomy that feeds on the constant threat.
The Gilching Peace Pole is also supposed to be about Ukrainian identity. From 6 p.m. onwards, Ukrainian texts and music will be used to commemorate the outbreak of war. The vigil is organized by the local Pax Christi group of the International Catholic Peace Movement Organization. Finding the right format is not that easy, says organizer Martin Pilgram. Is it a commemoration of the Russian attack, a reminder of the consequences of war, a hope for peace?
Somehow it’s all that. And so the Evangelical Christ Church in Tutzing has scheduled a peace prayer service for 6 p.m. This is meant to be thought of in the same way as all other wars and conflicts in the world. The Catholic parish community in Seefeld/Wörthsee invites you to pray together for peace from 6.30 p.m. in the parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Drößling. Donations are also collected for the association “Munich helps Ukraine”, the relief operation of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Munich for the victims of the war.