Evangelicals, Scouts and Albatros jointly open Ukrainian library
#ECCB On Monday, June 27, a new Czech-Ukrainian library opened to Ukrainian and Czech readers at the Svitlo Community Centre in Prague's Old Town Square, the result of a collaboration between the Scout Institute, the Albatros Foundation and the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren.
The library followed the charity event Ukrainian Bookshelf of the First Lady Olena Zelenska. The patronage of the Prague library was taken over by the Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic and its operation was launched by Olga Perebyjnis, the Ambassador's wife. The library is located in the Svitlo Community Centre on Old Town Square in Prague.
Over 5,000 books are available here, which Svitlo received as a gift from the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren and from the publishing house Albatros Media in cooperation with the Albatros Foundation. Over 4,000 children's books in Ukrainian and Czech have been handed over.
The Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren arranged the import of another 1,000 books from Ukraine for children and adults and decided to donate them to Svitlo in order to support the development of the Ukrainian community that is emerging around the centre.
"We are trying to respond to one of the greatest needs of Ukrainian refugees - the opportunity to read in their native language. We continuously monitor the needs of the Ukrainian people. Books belong to the Czech Brethren Church - the purchase of the first batch of books in Ukrainian is the logical outcome of all our activities to ensure that Ukrainian women and children maintain a dignified life in these difficult times," says Martin Balcar, head of the ECCB Central Church Office.
The opening ceremony was initiated with a performance by singer Katya Gapochka. Afterwards, an informal tour of the premises took place, where there are a number of quiet corners for reading or resting, equipped kitchens for communal cooking, children's playrooms or language classrooms and others. Regular health consultations, psychological help or clubs for children, young people and adults also take place here.
"We believe that help should be timely and effective. We are happy to donate books where we know they will be read. We try to coordinate our help with other donors. We want to further develop the library and respond to current needs," says Jindra Marešová, Director of the Albatros Foundation, about the creation of the library.