On 24-25 July, Vinnytsia hosted a series of events to mark St. James Day, honouring St. James the Apostle, the patron saint of pilgrims and the European network of Camino de Santiago routes. The programme included an international photography exhibition, the presentation of a new (third) Camino route in Ukraine, the unveiling of commemorative markers, a solemn Mass at the church, and a joint pilgrimage walk.
On this occasion, Vinnytsia welcomed several European diplomats, including Ricardo López-Aranda Jagu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Spain to Ukraine; Mateusz Natkowski, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Vinnytsia; as well as representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Ukraine and the partner city of Panevėžys.
The events were organized by the Department of City Marketing and Tourism of Vinnytsia City Council (the coordinator of the Camino Podolico route) in cooperation with the NGO «Association of Friends of St. James Way in Ukraine».
New Horizons for Camino: International Exhibition
The first day began at the Etnochary Art Space with the opening of an international photography exhibition dedicated to the Camino de Santiago. The exhibition, featuring 27 photographs of sacred heritage sites and pilgrims from across Europe, was brought to Vinnytsia and personally presented by Ricardo López-Aranda Jagu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Spain to Ukraine. In Vinnytsia, the exhibition was expanded with 12 aerial photographs showcasing landmarks along the Camino Podolico, including St. Nicholas Church in Vinnytsia, St. Anne Church in Bar, the Karmaliukova Mountain, and the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Kamianets-Podilskyi.
«It is very important for us to be here in Vinnytsia today. Ukraine can count on Spain – we will continue to support your country both morally and practically. We are united by a genuine friendship, and we are convinced that it will only grow stronger. We dream of the day when Spaniards will walk the Ukrainian Camino Podolico, and Ukrainians will walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Routes like these help people discover one another and build lasting ties between our countries», – said Ricardo López-Aranda Jagu.
One of the key events of the day was the «Roads to Santiago» Partnership Forum, which brought together diplomats, representatives of local communities, experts, and pilgrims. Opening remarks were delivered by Andrii Ocheretnyi, Vice President of the European Federation of St. James Way and Deputy Mayor of Vinnytsia; Ricardo López-Aranda Jagu, Ambassador of Spain to Ukraine; Mateusz Natkowski, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Vinnytsia; and Justinas Ražinskas, Third Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Ukraine.
In their speeches, the diplomats unanimously reaffirmed Ukraine's European integration path. In particular, the Consul General of the Republic of Poland described the Camino Podolico as a symbol of the shared heritage of European nations and of Ukraine's rightful place within the family of free European countries. Meanwhile, Justinas Ražinskas, Third Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania, emphasized that Ukraine has always been a historical and cultural part of Europe and reaffirmed Lithuania's steadfast support for Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
«St. James' Day is a special occasion for millions of people around the world. Today, we have gathered not only to celebrate this feast day but also to reflect on the power of cultural routes to bring together countries, communities, and people, even in the most challenging times. For us, the Camino Podolico has become a symbol of openness, European integration, and recovery through partnership. Today's events remind us once again that, no matter how difficult the challenges may be, we are not walking this path alone», – said Andrii Ocheretnyi, Vice President of the European Federation of St. James Way and Deputy Mayor of Vinnytsia.
Forum and the Presentation of Camino Atlantis
The Partnership Forum featured a series of important presentations. Among them, Andrii Shcherbytskyi, co-founder of the Atlantyda Speleological Club, introduced the concept of a new Camino route in Ukraine – Camino Atlantis. The approximately 190-kilometre route will run along the Podilski Tovtry ridge and the Zbruch River, connecting Zavallya and Chortkiv. It is designed to link the already established and Council of Europe-certified Camino Podolico with the future Camino Rutheno. The route's distinctive feature is its rich natural and cultural heritage, passing by medieval castles, scenic canyons, and renowned cave systems, including Atlantis Cave, regarded as one of the most beautiful caves in Europe.
The forum also welcomed Rytis Račkauskas, Deputy Mayor of Panevėžys, who shared Lithuania's experience in developing the Lithuanian St. James Way. Svitlana Hordiichuk, founder of the NGO «Camino Ambassadors», presented the role of women's leadership along the Camino Podolico. During the discussion panel, pilgrims Iryna Kvasiuk, Yurii Pyrch, Anastasiia Hryniuk, Anastasiia Batyrieva, and Yevheniia Ternova shared their personal experiences of walking the Camino.
Another significant milestone of the day was the launch of the Charter of St. James Ways in Ukraine, an initiative proposed by Volodymyr Onofriichuk, Ambassador for International Projects of the Association of Friends of St. James Way in Ukraine. The Charter is a voluntary declaration of shared values and principles intended to unite local communities, civil society organizations, religious institutions, cultural and educational organisations, tourism stakeholders, businesses, and all friends of the Camino committed to developing the St. James Ways in Ukraine.
New Symbols at the Starting Point and the Pilgrims' Walk
On 25 July, the official feast day of St. James the Apostle, the celebrations moved to the starting point of Camino Podolico – the square in front of the Church of Blessed Virgin Mary of the Angels in Vinnytsia.
A ceremonial unveiling of a bronze scallop shell, the official symbol of the Camino routes throughout Europe, took place there. The sculpture was presented to the community of Vinnytsia by Rytis Račkauskas, Deputy Mayor of Panevėžys, one of the people who originally introduced the Lithuanian St. James Way and encouraged Vinnytsia to join the European Camino network.
Next to the shell, a distance signpost indicating the routes to Lithuania, Spain, and Poland, together with maps of the St. James routes and their sacred heritage sites in these countries, was installed. The initiative was led by the Association of Friends of St. James Way in Ukraine and Volodymyr Onofriichuk, a member of Vinnytsia City Council. The installation serves as a symbol of international partnership and the shared European heritage of the Camino routes.
Immediately afterwards, a solemn Mass was celebrated at the church with the participation of Bishop Edward Kawa, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine Visvaldas Kulbokas, members of the diplomatic delegations from Lithuania and Poland, as well as residents and visitors of Vinnytsia. The congregation joined in a shared prayer for peace in Ukraine, for the protection of Ukrainian defenders, and for everyone walking their own path in life. Following the service, 33 pilgrims received a special blessing before setting out on the first stage of the Camino Podolico, walking from Vinnytsia to Hnivan.
Throughout the day, residents and visitors also had the opportunity to join three exclusive free guided tours of the underground passages beneath the Church of Blessed Virgin Mary of the Angels. The celebrations concluded with an organ music concert performed by Svitlana Bardaus, Honoured Artist of Ukraine and soloist of the Chernivtsi Regional Philharmonic.
In addition to the public programme, the St. James Day celebrations included official meetings between the international delegations and the leadership of Vinnytsia, followed the next day by meetings with the authorities of the City of Bar, both of which are key initiators and partners in the development of the Camino Podolico.
«At a time when Ukraine continues to endure a full-scale war, every visit by our international partners is, above all, a powerful sign of trust and solidarity, – said Serhii Morhunov, Mayor of Vinnytsia. – During our meeting, we discussed future joint projects related to the St. James Ways. These are much more than tourist routes – they strengthen ties between people, cities, and countries. It is important for us that the Ukrainian route is becoming ever more closely connected with the wider European Camino network. I would like to thank our partners from Spain, Poland, and Lithuania for their support in creating and developing this initiative, as well as for standing with Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression».