Syracuse and Ukraine “Sister City” Celebrate Two Year Anniversary
Published on November 21, 2025
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Acting Mayor Anzhela Makeieva of Irpin, Ukraine will host a concurrent art exhibit showcasing photography by children in Syracuse and Irpin. The Bridges of Hope Art Exchange is a celebration of the two years anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Syracuse and Irpin.
The exhibition will be showcased at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 22, at the Syracuse City Hall Commons, 201 E. Washington St., Syracuse, New York 13202, next to City Hall. Participants between the ages of 7 to 11 in the Syracuse Parks Recreation and Youth Programs after-school program and young people in Irpin received digital cameras donated by the Ukraine 1991 Foundation to take photos of people and places in their communities. The exhibit will run concurrently with the exhibition in Irpin, Ukraine, which will showcase photographs taken by children in Irpin and Syracuse.
“Bridges of Hope honors the courage and perseverance Irpin has demonstrated in the face of Russian aggression. It reminds us the most affected by war are kids, and yet it is their resilience and joy that continues to be an inspiration for us all. Through this art exchange, we are able to bring our cities closer in understanding through the lens of our future, the children,” said Walsh.
The City of Syracuse and the City of Irpin formed a sister city partnership in April 2023. Mayor Walsh and Irpin Mayor Oleksandr Marskushyn signed a joint proclamation at Syracuse City Hall. At the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Irpin withstood an attack by Russian forces, recapturing the city under Ukraine control in March 2022. Syracuse is home to one of nation’s largest Ukrainian populations.
As part of the Bridges of Hope program, Syracuse students visited the Onondaga Historical Association museum to learn about Syracuse’s history.
“It was an enriching experience to welcome the students from Syracuse Parks Department's after-school program to Onondaga Historical Association's downtown museum and show them some of the significant contributions made by Syracusans of the past to our nation's art, industry, and political system. OHA is proud to be associated with this wonderful program,” said Robert Searing, OHA Curator of History.
After the exhibition at City Hall Commons, the photography will be displayed at Syracuse City Hall through the end of year.