MYKOLAIV, MAY 12th, 2011, CONTEXT-PRICHERNOMORIE — Mykolaiv has joined the International Anti-AIDS Movement Names, Context-Prichernomorie correspondent reports.

The agency has been informed about it today, 12 May, at press office of the All-Ukrainian Network of PLWH.

The event dedicated to the Day of Memory of People who Died of AIDS in Mykolaiv will be held under the slogan “We Are for Life”, under which the quilt with the names of residents of the city and Mykolaiv region who died of HIV/AIDS will be made.

As of 01.04.2011, 6 thousand 276 HIV-infected people have been registered in Mykolaiv Region, of which nearly 1 thousand 700 are receiving ART — a drug prolonging life and making it valuable. In just a few years of the epidemic 3 thousand people died of AIDS in Mykolaiv region, the city rates 5th on the AIDS mortality list but unlike other cities, this number has nothing to do with the lack of drugs.

Also, within the framework of the campaign, certain events will be held to draw public attention to the scale of the epidemic and the formation of a tolerant attitude towards HIV-positive people. During the rally everyone will be able to go for voluntary counseling and testing for HIV, get information and education products and the red ribbon is the symbol of Solidarity. Children can take part in the contest drawing on the pavement, and adults — in a charity exhibition and sale of creative works of persons deprived of their liberty.

In support of healthy way of life will be a demonstration of extreme sports and a concert of young groups in Mykolaiv. The highlight of the event will be the “Memory Tree”, where everyone can hang a red ribbon in the memory of their beloved taken by HIV/AIDS. Traditionally, the campaign will end with a minute of silence and launch of balloons with the names of those who died of HIV/AIDS.

On the World Day of Memory of People who Died of AIDS, which is the third Sunday in May, Ukraine joins the international Names movement, founded in 1987 in the U.S. which today has a memorial of the 82 thousand names. On this memorable day Mikhailovskaya Square in Kyiv will be covered with a huge quilt (memorial cloth) covering about 300 square meters. It will be made from fabrics from all over Ukraine. This Quilt will be the symbol of sorrow and great tragedy of the epidemic, which killed nearly 21 thousand Ukrainians.