Participants ran through the blooming chestnuts of Krakow, symbolically linking the beauty of the Polish city with the memory of Kyiv.

On Kyiv Day, May 25, 2025, Krakow joined the global charity initiative "Run Under the Chestnuts" for the first time, supporting young patients at the Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. The General Consulate of Ukraine in Krakow reports this.

"On this symbolic day, the residents of Krakow express unwavering solidarity with the brave Kyivans who face daily barbaric shelling. Despite the constant threat and terror from the enemy, Ukraine's capital remains unyielding, and its citizens display incredible resilience and courage. Our charity run in Krakow is not only support for Ukrainian children in need of medical help but also a symbol of unity with all Ukrainians heroically defending their land," the consulate emphasized.

Since 1993, the event has annually united thousands of people around common humanitarian goals, demonstrating international solidarity and shared responsibility toward Ukrainian children in need.

The General Consul of Ukraine in Krakow, Vyacheslav Voynarovsky, addressed the participants, emphasizing that involvement in such charity events significantly contributes to rebuilding Ukraine's future and showcases the resilience of the human spirit.

Participants included staff from the General Consulate of Ukraine in Krakow, U.S. Consul for Press and Culture Adrian Pratt, the Krakow Waterworks team “Running with Krakowianka,” the head of the Krakow representation of the Polish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce Artur Bahliuk, students from the First Ukrainian School in Krakow by the “Unbreakable Ukraine” Foundation, as well as concerned residents of Krakow.

The organization of the event was made possible by the initiative of Vice Consul Valentina Kuzmin of the General Consulate of Ukraine in Krakow, as well as young Ukrainian activists in Krakow, Daniil Hnap and Maria Novoselskaya.

The General Consulate of Ukraine in Krakow expresses heartfelt gratitude to the event partners for their support and faith in the common cause: Krakow Waterworks, FruitMood (Sofio), RendPacoEco, FableCafe, Polish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, BarberHub, UAinKrakow, Depiltime.

This event once again demonstrated that together we are strong, together we are the heart of Ukraine. International support and solidarity are extremely important for Ukraine's recovery and helping the most vulnerable citizens of our state.

By the way, last year, the “Run Under the Chestnuts” raised one and a half million hryvnias for the Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Center.