Teens from Ukraine enjoy brief respite from war with Rockford visit

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Teens from Rockford’s sister city in Ukraine are visiting the Forest City this week, stopping by the UW Health Sports Factory and enjoying a mini-concert at the Coronado theater.

Ten teens from Brovary are on a 9-day trip to Rockford.

Brovary became a sister city in 1995 after a visiting soccer team from Kyiv suggested a sister city arrangement with Brovary, a Kyiv suburb.

Two years ago, when Russia invaded Ukraine, a group of teens were invited to Rockford to get away from the tragic realities happening in their home country.

Mareea Zmloak, 15, said the trip was one the best birthday gifts she could ask for.

“It was a surprise for me because my mom did it for me for my birthday. I said to my mom that I want go to America. And she said, okay, I’m going (try) my best. And here we are,” she said.

Chaperone Olena Korovina said the trip is especially important for the group.

“Unfortunately, they have lost their fathers who were protecting our dear Ukraine. This is a great, great possibility for our children, to make them forget for a moment about our reality,” Korovina said.

Valeria Zinchenko said, “We are afraid at times because of the war, because of the risk to be attacked, it’s not stable in Ukraine. It’s stable and calm here and I like it.”

Zmloak said the experience in Rockford was better than she hoped.

“[Rockford is a] beautiful city, incredible city. And I have fun here. I had a trauma when I was in the Ukraine. But where I’m here, I can be a little bit chill because there is no war. There are no scary sounds and I can just relax here,” she said.

The group will be in Rockford for the remainder of the week before heading back to Ukraine.

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