Ben Stott to show film and discuss humanitarian crisis in Ashland sister city, Sviatohirsk three years after Russian invasion
Ashland.news staff report
A local acupuncturist who has traveled to Ukraine five times in recent years will talk about his experiences and current conditions in the country, three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, at Peace House in Ashland.
Ben Stott, who most recently visited Ukraine in November, will screen a short film he made during the trip as part of his presentation, which will be free and open to the public. Stott will answer questions after the presentation.
Stott has played a key role in establishing a sister-city relationship between Ashland and Sviatohirsk, a town in the northern part of Donetsk Oblast, a province of Ukraine’s Donbas region. About 75% of the Donetsk Oblast is under Russian control, according to an August Reuters report.
He will give an update about the humanitarian crisis in Sviatohirsk, which has been heavily affected by the fighting. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022, the press release noted. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation, giving people an opportunity to talk to Stott about his experiences on the ground.
Free and open to the public, Peace House is at 543 S. Mountain Ave. Snacks and soft drinks will be provided.
Southern Oregon Peace Veterans is an organization of veterans and associates who oppose war while expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people in their effort to preserve their nation amid massive Russian aggression, according to the organization’s press release.
Email Ashland.news associate editor Steve Mitchell at stevem@ashland.news.
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