Sweden is supporting Gammalsvenskby in Ukraine with two million kronor, the government announces. The money is intended for preparations ahead of winter and to give the village's children the opportunity to attend summer camp on Gotland.
"The village, founded by Swedes in 1782, has been severely affected since Russia's full-scale invasion began", writes the Swedish government. Among other things, historic buildings are said to have been burned down.
The support is described as a first step "to rebuild the village's cultural heritage in the long run".
Gammalsvenskby – Galsvänskbi in local dialect – was founded by people from Dagö in present-day Estonia, who were forced to flee in connection with Russian conquests during the 18th century. Most of them died during the long march south, but those who survived have since then partly maintained the Swedish language and culture.
