Ukraine refugees celebrate coronation of King Charles III with traditional ceilidh
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FAMILIES from Ukraine who fled the horror of war took part in a Moray celebration for the coronation of King Charles III.
Many of the refugees have left loved ones back in their country which remains at war with the invading forces of Russia.
However, they were able to put their worries to one side for a few hours as they enjoyed an afternoon tea and traditional ceilidh in Elgin Town Hall.
They were joined by their host families, and families from RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss Barracks on Sunday afternoon.
Organised by Elgin Rotary Club, spokeswoman Margaret Stenton said the event was a "huge success" and showed the Rotary at its best.
"Our vision is to make a difference in our community for our community and with our community , and the positive feedback from those attending confirmed we achieved that," she said.
With just an hour to get the hall ready, volunteers put up bunting and laid the tables with food for the 170 guests, who were given a warm Scottish welcome by a piper.
Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Maj Gen Seymour Monro, who had been at the King’s Coronation at Westminster Cathedral the day before, came straight from the airport to join the party.
Margaret said: "It was a lovely surprise for everyone, and as the King’s representative for Moray, he read out a very special message from King Charles and Queen Camilla."
There was lots of entertainment for the children, with face painting, sand art, balloon twisting, and some craft tables.
George Duthie, George West and Ivan Russell provided the Scottish music whilst Louise MacLean talked everyone through the steps in each dance.
Added Margaret: "All in all a very happy and memorable afternoon and a real boost for so many who are missing their loved ones, due to circumstances outwith their control.
"We had been meaning to have a Ukrainian-Scottish get together from when they arrived last year so we decided to have a two for one community get together and invite the Ukrainian refugees and their hosts and have an afternoon ceilidh with them and communities from the RAF in Lossiemouth and Army in Kinloss."
There were 70 people from RAF Lossiemouth, 12 from Kinloss and across the three communities and Rotary a total of 170.
"We had a piper playing at the door so they had a good Scottish welcome and then they learned the Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow and the Virginia Reel, they just absolutely loved it.
"It was strange looking out of the hall and it was daylight and sunshine and we were all doing this ceilidh but it worked really well.
"The feedback on the way out was really positive and they seemed to really enjoy it and just bringing happiness to those people really made it, it was a real success."
