Nelia Kukovalska and Roman Sushchenko were awarded the Order of Merit of France

Nelia Kukovalska and Roman Sushchenko were awarded the Order of Merit of France

Nelia Kukovalska, the general director of the National Conservation Area “St. Sophia of Kyiv”, and Roman Sushchenko, a well-known journalist and Ukrinform correspondent were awarded with one of France’s highest national honors, the Order of Merit. At a solemn ceremony held in St. Sophia Cathedral, the honorary award was presented by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Ukraine Etienne de Poncins. Oleksandr Tkachenko, Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, representatives of the French Embassy and the National Conservation Area were the first to congratulate the awardees.

The ambassador noted that St. Sophia of Kyiv symbolizes the ties between France and Ukraine thanks to the historical figure of the daughter of Yaroslav the Wise — Anna, who became the queen of France. It is no coincidence that during his visit to Kyiv, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed a great desire to get acquainted with this pearl of history and culture and was given such an opportunity. The ambassador presented Ms. Kukovalska with a photo from this event with President Macron’s autograph and called her a true friend of France.

Thanking for the honor of becoming a Knight of the Order of Merit of the Republic of France, Nelia Kukovalska noted in her speech that June 1 marks the 23rd anniversary of the fact that she linked her life with St. Sophia of Kyiv. And she said that during this time a lot had been done to popularize Ukrainian history and culture in the world, she especially recalled the long-standing relationship with the French Center of Anna Yaroslavivna in Senlis, where a monument to Queen Anne of France was erected with joint efforts.

“I have dreams — that monuments to the daughters of Yaroslav the Wise — Anna, Yelyzaveta and Anastasia — will be erected in Kyiv, and a monument to their mother — the Swedish princess Ingegerd — will be erected on Sofiiska Square. Also, when I spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, I asked him that after the war we should be able to exhibit the original Rheims Gospel in Ukraine.”

A well-known journalist and political figure, who was released from captivity by the russian aggressors, Roman Sushchenko, expressed his thanks. He thanked the Ambassador for the high award and the French people for their solidarity with Ukraine, for their comprehensive support in these difficult times for Ukraine, and greeted those present — “Vive La France, Glory to Ukraine!”.

The final chords were Ukrainian and French compositions performed by Tetiana Andriievska and Nataliia Fomenko.