Swindon has welcomed the Mayor of the Ukrainian city of Rivne as plans to establish a formal twinning partnership move a step closer.
Mayor Viktor Shakyrzian visited the town on Sunday, meeting councillors, community representatives and members of Swindon’s Ukrainian community during a civic reception at the Civic Offices.
The visit follows work by Swindon’s Town Twinning Network, which has identified Rivne as its preferred Ukrainian partner city. A recommendation is expected to be considered by the network before being referred to Full Council for a final decision.
Mayor Shakyrzian was welcomed by representatives from Swindon Welcomes Ukraine, Deputy Leader of the Council Councillor Jake Chandler, Deputy Mayor Councillor Gayle Cook and former Mayor Fay Howard, who first initiated discussions on establishing the link during her year in office.
During the visit, guests discussed how an official partnership could encourage future cultural, educational and community exchanges between the two towns.
Although separated by more than 1,000 miles, Swindon and Rivne share a number of similarities. Both have populations of around 250,000 and grew rapidly through their railway connections before developing into important industrial centres.
While Swindon’s history is closely linked to the Great Western Railway, Rivne developed as a major railway junction before becoming an important centre for engineering, manufacturing and the chemical industry.
A number of gifts were exchanged during the reception, with Swindon Museum and Art presenting items celebrating the town’s heritage. Deacons Jewellers also donated a Great Western Railway-themed timepiece, reflecting Swindon’s railway history.
Following the civic reception, the delegation visited several locations connected with the town’s heritage before calling at Drink Valley Brewery, where a commemorative pale ale marking the growing friendship between Swindon and Rivne is being produced.
The visit concluded with an evening meal in Old Town, where discussions continued about potential future collaboration between the two communities.
Anastasiia Banatska, Chair of Swindon Welcomes Ukraine, said the visit represented an important moment in the relationship between the two towns.
“For more than four years Swindon has opened its doors to hundreds of Ukrainian families. What began as a humanitarian response has grown into genuine friendships and lasting community connections,” she said.
“Seeing the Mayor of Rivne visit Swindon and experience the town first-hand is an important milestone. There is still a formal process to complete, but there is real enthusiasm on both sides to build something meaningful that benefits residents in both communities.”
Councillor Jake Chandler, Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council and Vice-Chair of the Town Twinning Network, said the visit had provided an opportunity to explore how a formal partnership could develop.
“This was a real opportunity to showcase Swindon, meet face to face and discuss what a future partnership could look like,” he said.
“Rivne and Swindon have much more in common than many people realise, and we look forward to continuing those conversations through the Town Twinning Network and council processes.”
The next major event linked to Swindon’s Ukrainian community is expected to be UkraineFest on 22 August in Town Gardens. Organisers say the festival will celebrate Ukrainian culture while also reflecting the growing friendship between Swindon and Rivne as the twinning proposal progresses through the council’s approval process.
