First Ladies and Gentlemen visited St. Sophia’s Cathedral and Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv

As part of the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen held in Kyiv on September 12, foreign guests visited Ohmatdyt, Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital, and St. Sophia’s Cathedral, one of the capital’s most significant cultural and religious landmarks.

On September 11, ahead of the Summit, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, along with international guests, went to Ohmatdyt Hospital.

The delegation included Rossana Briceño, Spouse of the Prime Minister of Belize; Dr Lucrecia Eugenia Peinado Villanueva, First Lady of the Republic of Guatemala; Bo Tengberg, Spouse of the Prime Minister of Denmark; Sirje Karis, First Lady of the Republic of Estonia; Diana Nausėdienė, First Lady of the Republic of Lithuania; Tamara Vučić, Spouse of the President of the Republic of Serbia; Aleš Musar, Spouse of the President of the Republic of Slovenia; Suzanne Innes-Stubb, Spouse of the President of the Republic of Finland; and UN Messenger of Peace Michael Douglas and his son, Dylan.

Ohmatdyt is Ukraine’s largest multidisciplinary medical centre, providing specialized care for children nationwide. On July 8, 2024, Russia launched a missile strike on Ohmatdyt, damaging one of the hospital’s buildings. The enemy attack claimed two lives and injured 32 others, including eight children.

During their visit to Ohmatdyt, the First Ladies and Gentlemen toured the undamaged sections of the hospital, meeting with doctors and young patients, including those who were present during the Russian missile strike.

Additionally, Mrs Zelenska and international guests met with Ivan and Iryna Umanski, a foster family. Earlier, the Olena Zelenska Foundation, along with foreign benefactors, helped build a new home for the Umanski family after their previous one was destroyed by Russian shelling. Since moving into their new home in April, the family has welcomed three more girls, bringing the number of their foster children to 10.

On September 12, the day of the Summit, First Lady Zelenska and her guests visited St. Sophia’s Cathedral, which is part of the National Conservation Area ‘Sophia of Kyiv’. The cathedral is one of Ukraine’s capital’s most important cultural and religious symbols.

During the visit, the delegation attended a prayer service for Ukraine, inspired by the cathedral’s rich history, and admired its magnificent frescoes.

The National Conservation Area ‘Sophia of Kyiv’ holds deep significance for modern Ukraine. In particular, foreign ambassadors present their credentials to the Ukrainian President here. Moreover, this place has hosted the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen for four consecutive years.

The Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen is an annual international event initiated by Olena Zelenska in 2021. It brings together First Ladies and Gentlemen worldwide to address global challenges. The Fourth Summit focused on protecting children’s rights and ensuring a safe future for them, addressing key issues such as children’s safety during war, in schools, families, and cyberspace, as well as creating a secure environment for them.

Read more about the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen here.