St. Patrick’s Day 2022 for connection, community and solidarity with Ukraine
Press release
17 March 2022
St. Patrick’s Day is marked with Ministerial visit and a cultural event in central Stockholm
St. Patrick’s Day 2022 for connection, community and solidarity with Ukraine
The annual St Patrick’s Day Parade organised by the Swedish-Irish Society returns to Kungsträdgården in Stockholm on Saturday 19 March, following a two-year absence due to the pandemic. All are welcome to experience Irish music, dance and culture together with up to 3,000 friends of the Irish community.
For St Patrick’s Day 2022 the theme in the wake of the pandemic is connection with Irish communities at home and overseas, and particularly the people of Ukraine. Austin Gormley, Ireland's Ambassador to Sweden, commented that the tragic events of the past weeks have shown us once again that community is a universal value that is expressed by meaningful solidarity.
Ambassador Gormley said:
“We will mark this national day with solidarity rather than celebration as such and we express our Irish identity by re-dedicating ourselves to democratic and humanitarian values.”
This year's theme of "Connection and Community" resonates strongly with Irish history. The theme links Ireland to its global diaspora and also echoes our solidarity with the people of Ukraine. In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have learned to value community, uncovered hidden reserves of generosity and imagination – and the unifying power of culture to connect people everywhere.
On Saturday 19 March, up to 3,000 members of the Irish community will get together for the St. Patrick’s Day parade that has been organised by the Swedish-Irish Society since 2005. This is a perfect day for families and all those who want to take part in, and experience, Irish culture and the friendship between the two countries, in downtown Stockholm. In Kungsträdgården, you will be able to taste food and drink, and experience traditional music. In light of the situation in Ukraine, all proceeds from merchandise sales will be donated to UNHCR.
Sofie Murphy, board member of the Swedish-Irish Society, says that the event is of particular importance this year as it is an opportunity for the Irish community to express solidarity with Ukraine as well as the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic that we have been able to gather in person to mark St Patrick’s Day. She said:
“After these two years, we look forward, even more, to St. Patrick's Day. We value the chance to re-connect with old friends, and make new ones, and we do so in the spirit of community and friendship. This year, we are also joining our forces for a greater purpose as we will raise funds to support the important work of UNHCR for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.”
The parade at Kungsträdgården is supported this year by the Irish Embassy. Ambassador Gormley, referred to the importance of the parade for the local Irish community. He commented:
“The parade is about sharing Irish culture and heritage and promoting friendship and goodwill in this wonderful and diverse city. This event means a lot to the Irish community in Stockholm. For them, this is a place to renew old connections and create new ones.”
Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Damien English will visit Sweden between 14 and 17 March as part of the Irish Government’s 2022 St Patrick's Day programme. The purpose of the visit is to highlight Swedish-Irish business relations and trade opportunities, and strengthen links with the Irish global Diaspora. This year, the visit also marks 100 years since Ireland became an independent state, and 50 years since the country’s accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).
In advance of his visit to Sweden, Minister English said:
“It is important to be in Sweden to celebrate our national day and to connect to the Irish community who have thrived here and to promote business links between our two countries.
Like Sweden, Ireland has benefitted enormously from membership of the European Union and we look forward to deepening our political, business, cultural and people-to-people exchanges in the years ahead. We share a similar vision of the future of the EU, including the continued importance of innovation, research and competition as we drive for a more sustainable future.
I look forward to exchanging views during the visit about investment in green and digital technologies and how we can partner together for a more sustainable economy and society”
During the visit, the Minister will have a business programme in Stockholm to include the Embassy, and state agencies Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and Tourism Ireland. The visit will support Irish exports in areas such as construction services, healthcare, lifesciences, cleantech, telecoms, food and drink as well as highlight Ireland as an investment location and a great place to visit. The Minister will also meet Minister for Foreign Trade and the Nordics, Anna Hallberg.
Embassy of Ireland, Stockholm
The Swedish-Irish Society
