For decades, he united Portugal’s Ukrainian community around advocacy, culture and support for Ukraine. His final farewell drew tributes from lawmakers and diaspora leaders.
In Lisbon, people said farewell to Pavlo Sadokha, vice president of the Ukrainian World Congress and a longtime leader of the Ukrainian community in Portugal. He was 56.
This is reported by the Ukrainian World Congress on Facebook.
The ceremonies took place at the funeral center of the Estrela Basilica and at the Chapel of the English Cemetery. Pavlo Sadokha was buried at the English Cemetery in Lisbon.
The Portuguese Parliament adopted a motion of condolence following the death of the Ukrainian community leader. Members of Parliament highlighted his contribution to supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian community.
The Ukrainian World Congress expressed its condolences to Pavlo Sadokha’s family, loved ones, and friends, as well as to the Ukrainian community in Portugal.
Pavlo Sadokha’s work
Pavlo Sadokha was the Ukrainian World Congress vice president for Southern Europe, deputy chair of the UWC’s Council of Ukrainian Organizations, and head of the Union of Ukrainians in Portugal.
For decades, he worked on behalf of Ukraine and Ukrainians in Portugal. Sadokha helped organize rallies in support of the Euromaidan in 2013–2014. After Russia’s aggression began, he organized demonstrations, addressed Portuguese officials, and helped Ukrainian soldiers.
He was also a co-organizer of the annual Peace March in Lisbon, supported the development of Ukrainian media and the promotion of Ukrainian history and culture. Another important area of his work was helping establish the Ukrainian Youth Association in Portugal.