Ukrainian Community Joins Milton Keynes St David’s Day Celebration Honouring Gareth Jones
Milton Keynes community leaders celebrate St David’s Day, honouring Gareth Jones
Members of the Ukrainian community in Milton Keynes joined local residents and civic leaders at the MK Rose to celebrate St David’s Day and commemorate the life of Gareth Jones, the Welsh journalist whose courageous reporting exposed the truth about the Holodomor.
Representing the Ukrainian community, Viktoriya Shtanko, CEO of Ukraine Appeal Charity, took part in the ceremony and laid flowers in honour of Gareth Jones’ legacy. Ukrainian women attending the event brought yellow daffodils, symbolising both Welsh heritage and the shared commitment to truth and remembrance.
Daffodils as a symbol of St David’s Day
The daffodil is one of Wales’ most recognisable national symbols. It represents:
renewal and hope,
the arrival of spring,
the resilience of the Welsh people,
and the celebration of St David, the patron saint of Wales.
For Ukrainians in Milton Keynes, the daffodil also carries a deeper emotional resonance — a symbol of light, truth and remembrance during times of hardship.
Although Gareth Jones’ 120th birth anniversary fell in 2025, the 2026 St David’s Day programme in Milton Keynes continued the theme of honouring his legacy — marking ninety‑one years since his death and celebrating his enduring commitment to truth and moral courage.
Gareth Jones: A Welsh Hero Connected to Ukraine
Gareth Jones (1905–1935) was a Welsh journalist who bravely reported on the Holodomor, the man‑made famine of 1932–1933 in Soviet Ukraine that killed millions. Despite political pressure and attempts to silence him, Jones insisted on telling the truth. His eyewitness reports remain some of the most important historical evidence of this atrocity.
In 2026, ninety‑one years after his death, Ukrainians continue to commemorate his life and the enduring importance of truth and moral courage — celebrating his commitment to truth and justice, values deeply meaningful to Ukrainians today.
Milton Keynes honours his legacy with a St David’s Day pillar at the MK Rose, where residents gather each year to remember his courage.
Representing the Ukrainian community, Viktoriya laid flowers to honour the legacy of Gareth Jones and his courageous reporting on the Holodomor.
Speaking at the event, Viktoriya shared why Gareth Jones’ legacy remains deeply meaningful to Ukrainians today:
“To me personally, Gareth Jones stands as a true Unsung Hero. What he did seemed impossible: he remained loyal to his profession and spoke the truth despite immense pressure, risk, and personal sacrifice.”
She added:
“In a world saturated with misinformation and blurred truths, his example remains a source of inspiration and hope.”
A Moment of Shared Heritage and Solidarity
At the event, local MP Emily Darlington highlighted the importance of St David’s Day and the pride many MK residents feel in their Welsh heritage. She also emphasised the significance of remembering Gareth Jones and his connection to Ukraine.
For the Ukrainian community, this gathering was a moment of unity — a reminder that the struggle for truth and the fight against historical injustice connect nations and generations.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Ukraine Appeal CIO is grateful to all who attended and to the Milton Keynes community for its continued support of Ukraine and its people.
🌼 Daffodils for Wales.
Daffodils for truth.
Daffodils for Ukraine.
