Belgium's tiniest theme park has added new models to honour Europe's relationship with Ukraine in an unveiling ceremony on Monday.
In the first model, the European Union and Ukrainian flags fly together in Kyiv's Maidan Square, with the Kyiv Independence Column standing in the background.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is shown in front of the column officially receiving the application for membership in the European Union from Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky.
The European Union awarded Ukraine candidate statues on 23 June.
Miniatures of EU president Ursula Von der Leyen and Zelensky pictured during a press conference on the occasion of the inauguration of the Kyiv Independence Column and a miniature staging symbolizing the movement of solidarity from Europeans to Ukrainians at Mini-Europe, Brussels, Tuesday 26 July 2022. Credit: Belga / James Arthur Gekiere
The inauguration of the models took place on Monday, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib, and a representative of the Ukrainian Embassy in Belgium, Natalia Anoshyna, present.
Mini-Europe began working on the models right away when Anoshyna submitted an application for a new Ukrainian model a month ago.
A press conference on the occasion of the inauguration of the Kyiv Independance Column and a miniature staging symbolizing the movement of solidarity from Europeans to Ukrainians at Mini-Europe, Brussels, Tuesday 26 July 2022. Credit: Belga / James Arthur Gekiere
“We want to belong to the EU and fight for a common future without a dictatorship,” says Anoshyna. “I hope that soon, after winning this war, we can go to a peaceful Ukraine and Kyiv to see the original monument.”
Other models at the unveiling show Ukrainian refugees arriving at the Polish border and a convoy of trucks sending aid to Ukraine. Businesses can advertise their logos on the trucks if they have helped those in crisis in Ukraine.
Credit: Belga / James Arthur Gekiere
Usually, the miniature landmarks at the theme park only represent member states of the European Union, but Mini-Europe made an exception for Ukraine.
In the park, visitors can walk through the entirety of Europe in a matter of an hour, learning fun facts and the history of each country.
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Tickets for Mini-Europe can be purchased online or in person. For more information on park hours or special group rates, visit their website.
