Soon, the Ukrainian House in Spain will open in a government-donated property in Torrevieja, Alicante. It will help and counsel individuals who want to return when safety conditions allow, as well as preserve connections between those who have been displaced by the war and their homeland.

After touring the facilities provided by the government in the Care, Reception and Referral Centre building, one of four in Spain along with Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Unity Oleksiy Chernyshov made this statement yesterday, Thursday 27th March, in Torrevieja. Elma Saiz, the Minister of Migration, Social Security and Inclusion, and Eduardo Dolón, the mayor of the city, also shared this viewpoint.

In Torrevieja, a city with over 10,000 registered residents and one of the major hubs of the diaspora in Spain, the Deputy Prime Minister’s presence—bolstered by a robust Guardia Civil presence—was followed by a meeting with leaders of compatriot associations.

Chernyshov clarified that the Ukrainian House will open “very soon” and is anticipated to coincide with the inauguration of the Ukrainian Houses in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and, most likely, Italy, despite the fact that no opening dates have been set.

Within the Ukrainian ‘Unity Hub Space’ in the EU is the Ukrainian House

The ambitious ‘Unity Hub Space’ initiative, which includes all of these Ukrainian Houses throughout European nations, aims to offer a wide range of services to the Old Continent, including banking, employment, education, healthcare, business assistance, and consular services.

In order to help citizens who had to flee the war feel “connected” to their homeland, the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister underlined the significance of this centre. It also facilitated, under safe conditions, return procedures, such as work permits, the location of schools for minors, and various documents.

Chernyshov said his nation is grateful to Spain for sheltering the people who have been displaced by Russian aggression over the last three years and for making it possible for this Ukrainian House to open.

“A place of encounter and hope,” Minister Saiz said

The Ukrainian House was established as “a space of hope and meeting” to serve Ukrainians, of whom there are thought to be over 230,000 in Spain under temporary protection, according to Elma Saiz, Minister of Migration, Social Security, and Immigration.

According to the data he presented, there are approximately 30,000 youngsters enrolled in the national education system, and he said that over 40,000 Ukrainians have gone through the foster care institutions that the central government has put in place.

About half of the 30,000 diaspora members with temporary protection who are registered with Spanish Social Security are women, demonstrating the “example of integration and inclusion” that has occurred.

Saiz added that the Ukrainian House’s first floor is entirely open-plan, and that the transfer to Ukraine entails that Ukraine will be in charge of assigning particular personnel and overseeing the activities offered.

A 14-year-old youth was fined nearly 2,000 euros by the Santa Pola Local Police for up to five infractions.

The child attempted to escape into the streets when the police patrol stopped him to try to identify him while he was riding an electric scooter along a Gran Alacant street at around 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 26th March.

Officers from the Santa Pola Local Police unit were able to confirm that the electric scooter could travel up to 99 kilometres per hour when it was later tested.

The minor’s legal guardian has been given the fines.

Yesterday morning, Thursday 27th March, Miguel Fernández, the manager of the Municipal Institute of Culture “Joaquín Chapaprieta,” and Antonio Quesada, the Councillor for Culture of the Torrevieja City Council, presented the 27th edition of the Torrevieja Book Fair, which will take place on Paseo Vista Alegre from Saturday, April 12th to Monday, April 21st.

On Saturday, April 12th at 12:00 p.m., the Fair will open with the customary trip to see the caseteros (case merchants). Later, in the activities tent, will take in the Book Fair’s opening ceremony, which will include a brief conversation and book signing with Juan del Val, a journalist, writer, and producer living in Madrid.

Throughout the Fair, 52 authors will sign their publications

Poetry readings, storytelling, new publication presentations, children’s workshops, and other events are all part of the extensive programme of events that will be available to all audiences starting today. All purchases will receive the customary 10% discount.

With a total of 20 businesses devoted to the literary industry, including publishers, bookshops, and associations, the Councillor for Culture emphasised the record participation.

Additionally, there are around fifty writers, some of whom will be from Madrid or Catalonia.

Antonio Quesada concluded the press conference by encouraging all citizens to visit the fair, learn about the literary offerings, and take part in all the events. He also thanked local organisations like the Municipal Theatre School and associations like Ars Creatio and 3MAP for their cooperation.