Government officials ask citizens to turn off holiday lights for Ukraine
Officials from world governments asked their citizens to turn off their festive lights for one hour Wednesday night to show solidarity with Ukraine, whose President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said is suffering from energy shortages at the hands of Russia.
The campaign, called #hourforukraine, was created by Ukrainian MPs and was pushed by government authorities around the world. The hour-long festive blackout was called for 8 PM local time on the eve of December 22nd, the darkest night of the year.
Officials shared an ad for the campaign which reads, “Stand in solidarity with Ukraine this Christmas. Switch off your festive lights. Show your support.” The bottom of the ad reads, “We can see your support even in the darkness.”
“Russia’s barbaric and illegal invasion of Ukraine has led to millions of Ukrainians losing electricity, water and vital supplies. I am supporting the #hourforukraine tonight at 8pm in solidarity with them. Victory to Ukraine!” commented former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“As a result of Russia’s aggression, millions of Ukrainians are living right now with no electricity, heating or water,” tweeted Council of Europe. “At 20h today, the darkest day of the year, the @CoE Palais goes dark in solidarity with you. #HourforUkraine #LightInDarkness #StandWithUkraine.”
“Three Ukrainian MPs have started a powerful, simple initiative for people around the world to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. On Dec 21st at 8pm, turn off your festive lights. Read more here: #HourforUkraine,” wrote Canadian MP Michelle Rempel Garner.
“Please RT. I have been asked by a Ukrainian MP to share this request. On 21 December at 8pm on the darkest day of the year please switch off your festive lights and give an #HourForUkraine,” tweeted British MP Vicky Ford, who also included a list of Ukrainian charities.
“We invite all regions and cities to switch off their festive lights tonight at 8 pm local time and join the #HourforUkraine,” added European Committee for the Regions.
Ukraine MP Lesia Vasylenko, who co-created the campaign, appeared to ask for citizens to cut off their power completely for an hour: “#russia deprives 10 mln Ukrainians of Christmas this year by bombing energy infrastructure. On the darkest day of the year give one #hourforUkraine. 21 Dec, 20.00-21.00 switch off your festive lights, cut off the power and give your thoughts to #Ukraine.
“#hourforUkraine campaign is an act of solidarity with the brave people of #Ukraine spending Christmas in the dark and cold, courtesy of #Russia. Please help spread the message. Share with local media, city mayors and local authorities.”
The campaign comes as the US prepares to give Ukraine another $47 billion, bringing Ukraine’s total war chest to nearly $200 billion in less than a year.
Last week, the European Union pledged a donation of 30 million LED lightbulbs and 800 generators to Ukraine despite the continent’s own severe energy crisis which already has the European Commission mulling rationing electricity to citizens.
The pledge came after President Volodymir Zelenskyy demanded 50 million lightbulbs during an international aid conference in Paris last week, saying they are "as necessary in Ukraine as armored vehicles and bulletproof vests." The former actor said the country is facing an energy crisis after Russia targeted its power grid with air strikes, costing Ukraine two-and-a-half gigawatts of power. The lightbulbs and generators would restore a gigawatt to the country, said Zelenskyy.
"In these times of suffering and darkness, it is so important to bring light to Ukraine," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said regarding Zelenskyy’s request.
The EU’s considerable donation comes after von der Leyen proposed rationing electricity in Europe to “flatten the curve.”
