The Civic Alliance of Latvia invites you to show support for the people of Ukraine, the reconstruction of Ukraine, and its integration into the European Union by participating in the campaign "Sunflowers for a united Europe together with Ukraine".
Sunflower fields are one of the symbols of Ukraine, which is why over the last month sunflowers have become one of the signs of support for Ukrainian freedom and solidarity for people in different parts of the world. At the same time, it is known that working in a garden can soothe the mind and heart – garden therapy is used in many places around the world to help people overcome psychological distress and trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
At this time, when we are welcoming people from Ukraine into our homes, schools, and workplaces and receiving daily news of the unimaginable crimes committed by the Russian army, nature therapy can help us too. Caring for seedlings and being able to follow the sprouting of a sunflower can provide comfort, as well as the belief that the flowers will bloom in a world where the war will have already ended and we will be taking part in the reconstruction of Ukraine.
How to participate in the campaign:
1. By the end of the second week of April, sow sunflowers in boxes/pots on a windowsill or in a greenhouse, nurturing and tending the seedlings until the beginning of May, when the soil has warmed up and the sunflowers can be planted out in a garden, flower bed, or on a balcony,
2. Second option: wait until May and sow sunflower seeds directly into the ground,
3. Participate in the sunflower planting or sowing campaign on Europe Day, 9 May, or on any other day in May,
4. Share your experience of sowing and growing sunflowers, as well as photographs of your sunflower gardens, on social media using the hashtags #SaulespuķesUkrainai, #UkrainaEiropā, and #VienotiEiropā.
Information with instructions for growing sunflowers, as well as visual materials for the campaign, which we invite you to use in your communications and distribute further so that sunflowers bloom in every corner of Latvia, can be found here: https://bit.ly/38hwzpV