Eiffel Tower, Opera House, Namsan Tower... Solidarity with Ukraine in 'Blue-Yellow' Colors

1 Year Since Russia-Ukraine Invasion
Support and Solidarity Through World Landmark Illuminations

On the 24th (local time), marking one year since Russia invaded Ukraine, landmarks around the world were illuminated in blue and yellow, symbolizing the Ukrainian flag.

According to foreign media including the AP News, iconic landmarks such as the Empire State Building in New York, USA, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, and the Sydney Opera House in Australia were lit up in blue and yellow lights representing the Ukrainian flag.

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

On the 23rd (local time), the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, is illuminated in yellow and blue.
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

Usually illuminated with golden lights after sunset, the Eiffel Tower displayed blue lights on its upper section and yellow lights on its lower section on the night of the 23rd, a day before the one-year mark of the war, evoking the Ukrainian flag. The city of Paris explained that this event was organized to honor the courage of Ukrainians on the first anniversary of the invasion and to show solidarity to the world.

Sydney Opera House, Australia

On the 24th (local time), the Sydney Opera House in Australia was illuminated with the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

Various locations in Seoul also shone in yellow and blue. On the afternoon of the 24th, yellow and blue lights were turned on at Namsan Tower, Seoul City Hall, and Sebitseom in Seoul. According to the social media of Dmytro Ponomarenko, the Ukrainian ambassador to South Korea, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon sent a letter to Ambassador Ponomarenko on the 20th. In the letter, Mayor Oh stated, "We will do anything to convey Seoul’s support for Ukraine," and announced, "We will once again carry out the 'Light of Peace' campaign."

Sebitseom, Seoul, South Korea

On the afternoon of the 24th, marking the first anniversary of the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, Banpo Sebitseom is illuminated with the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Light of Peace campaign is a movement to illuminate major city landmarks worldwide with blue and yellow lights symbolizing the Ukrainian flag. It aims to send an anti-war message globally while offering comfort and solidarity to the Ukrainian people suffering from the war. Accordingly, Seoul lit up buildings such as City Hall with the colors of the Ukrainian flag daily from February 27 to March last year, with cities like Busan and Hanam also joining the effort.

Anti-war and War Condemnation Protests Held

On the 24th (local time), a protester in front of the Russian Embassy in Serbia is holding a blood-red cake with a skull on it.
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, anti-war protests also took place on the same day. Protesters gathered in front of the Russian Embassy in Berlin, Germany, climbed onto a rusted Russian tank displayed on the street in front of the embassy, and waved the Ukrainian flag. This tank was captured early in the war in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and is known to have been loaned by the Military History Museum of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to a German civilian organization. Billant Gibel of the Berlin Story Group, which organized the protest, said, "The whole world needs to see that many people in Germany support Ukraine," adding, "That is why we placed the tank in front of the Russian Embassy’s door."

In Serbia, a pro-Russian country, anti-war protests were also held. Protest participants drew attention by standing in front of the Russian Embassy in Belgrade holding a blood-red cake embedded with skull models. They demanded that "Russian President Vladimir Putin be tried for genocide."

In front of the Russian Embassy in Seoul, dozens gathered to demand Russia’s immediate withdrawal and an end to war crimes, while about 1,000 protesters in a park in Tokyo, Japan, held placards reading "Russia, stop the invasion of Ukraine" during their demonstration.

Support Messages from Hollywood Actors and Others

On the afternoon of the 25th, workers' solidarity group and participants hold placards at an anti-war rally against the invasion of Ukraine held in front of D Tower in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Famous actors and others also voiced their support for Ukraine in unison. According to AFP News, Hollywood actress Julia Roberts said, "We are always thinking of you, sending love, strength, and prayers, and embracing you with all our hearts."

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the movie 'Star Wars,' borrowed a famous line from the film, saying, "May the Force always be with you."

Additionally, actor Morgan Freeman, astronaut Scott Kelly, film director Wes Anderson, British pop group Pet Shop Boys, and actor-director Liev Schreiber also sent video messages of support to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared these video messages on Facebook, expressing gratitude by saying, "Thank you for your support. They mean a lot to us."