Mansfield welcomes Mayor of Stryi to Civic Centre
Mansfield District Council hosted an official visit from the Mayor of Stryi, Mr Oleg Kanivets, last week as part of the town’s ongoing commitment to its twinning relationship with the Ukrainian city. The meeting reaffirmed Mansfield’s solidarity with Ukraine during the continuing war and outlined practical steps to deepen cultural, educational, and economic links.
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The event, held at the Civic Centre, was attended by the Mayor of Mansfield, Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Finance Craig Whitby, Chief Executive James Biddlestone, representatives from West Nottinghamshire College, Nottingham Trent University and Sherwood Forest Hospital Trust. Guests were welcomed with a performance by the Nottingham Ukrainian choir, symbolising the strong cultural bond between the two communities. The Mayor of Stryi was presented with a signed Mansfield Town FC shirt and a map that detailed the history of the town.
Speaking at the event, the Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams said: “Twinning is more than a line on a page; it is a handshake that endures. We have already stood together in solidarity, and now we will build together with purpose. Our partnership with Stryi is about human contact, cultural connection, peace, and mutual support, values that matter more than ever in these challenging times.”
During the visit, the Mayor of Mansfield proposed four strands of collaboration for the coming year: youth collaboration through a “Stryi–Mansfield Young Ambassadors” programme, sports partnerships including football training camps, business and skills development through joint roundtables, and cultural projects such as a twin-city exhibition titled Rivers and Roots.
The Mayor of Stryi shared updates on his city’s resilience and growth, highlighting infrastructure improvements, industrial development, and cultural initiatives despite the ongoing conflict.
This visit marks a significant step in strengthening ties between Mansfield and Stryi, demonstrating that neighbourliness and cooperation can transcend borders and adversity.