United to win: Portugal and Italy release charity calendars to help Ukraine

The calendars for 2025, which were created to raise money, have been published in Italy and Portugal. They feature thematic photos of Ukrainian women wearing embroidered shirts.

Nataliia Varha, the author of the solidarity calendar and the Consulate General of Ukraine in Naples, reported that on Facebook.

What is the problem?

The war between Ukraine and Russia has had a profound impact not just on those within Ukraine, but also on Ukrainians living abroad. Even though they may be physically separated from their homeland, these individuals not only feel the pain and grief, but also actively show support for their country.

The work they do is incredibly important, from arranging fundraisers and volunteer opportunities to running awareness campaigns that remind people of the significance of ongoing support for Ukraine. Thanks to their hard work, Ukraine remains a priority on the international stage, and the fight for its independence receives the vital backing it needs.

What is the solution?

The Society of Ukrainian Women in Portugal created a Solidarity Calendar, illustrated with photographs of Ukrainian women in embroidered shirts, to attract attention and raise funds to help the Motherland.

"In joy and in sorrow, we can always wear embroidered shirts. They are like fate, in intertwined colors, shades and patterns where our smiles and sorrows are intertwined," Nataliia wrote.

The cost of the calendar is 5 euros. All proceeds from the sale of the calendars will be directed to help temporarily displaced women with children.

It is also impossible not to mention a similar initiative in Naples: the "Ukrainian Women in Italy" calendar. This calendar is supported by the Consulate General of Ukraine in Naples, with the help of the ERASMUS program and the Ideamait advertising agency. Information sponsor – Articoloventuno.

"This is a unique project that united Ukrainians in Italy. Photographers, models, artisans and Ukrainian brands took part in creating the calendar, who did everything on a voluntary basis," the post says.

Their goal is to raise money to help the children of fallen soldiers, the calendar can be purchased for a donation.

How does it work?

According to Nataliia Varha, the creator of the Solidarity Calendar, the goal is to remind the Portuguese society about the ongoing war in Ukraine and to declare that distance from one's homeland does not equate to forgetting one's origins.

The head of the society thanked everyone who participated in the implementation of this project: Maria João Ramos, Ivanna Stasiv, Svitlana Kuziv, Olha Petriv, Oksana Kucher and Carlos Rolo.

Regarding the "Ukrainian Women in Italy" calendar, it was implemented by:

• Zhanna Zhukova – project author
• Lilia Hlynka – executive director
• Alyona Siverska – financial director

The Ethnolady brand provided a collection of beautifully embroidered dresses. The wreaths were handcrafted by skilled artisans Svitlana Markevych, Nataliia Skoromnyk, and Liudmyla Savanchuk.

For reference:

This year, the Scottish government office selected a drawing by 12-year-old Ukrainian girl, Amelia Marchenko, as their Christmas card. The young girl sought safety in Edinburgh following the beginning of the Russian full-scale war.

It was also mentioned that Ukrainian Olympic medalists took part in the photo shoot for the calendar alongside the military. The only athlete who was not physically present during the photo shoot was gymnastics silver medalist Illia Kovtun.