Albuquerque’s new sister city: 5 things to know about Kharkiv

Alaina Mencinger Alaina Mencinger Alaina Mencinger Staff Writer

Gillian Barkhurst Gillian Barkhurst Gillian Barkhurst Journal Staff Writer

Published July 19, 2023 - 10:11 a.m. Modified August 28, 2024 - 2:00 a.m.

Russia Ukraine War — A man sits on a bench in front of a sculpture of a couple kissing, known as a monument to the lovers, at a square in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022.

YE Top Photos 2022 — Yurii Voitenko plays with the dolphin named Zeus through an underwater viewing window fortified with sand bags in the pool of the dolphinarium Nemo in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Sept. 21, 2022.

Ukraine New Year — Women dressed in costumes pose with a boy for a photograph at the subway station "University" decorated for Christmas and New Year in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022.

Russia Ukraine War Rehabilitation — Ukrainian soldier take part in an aquatic therapy session in a hot pool at a rehabilitation center in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. The relentless 10-month war has prompted a local commander to transform an old soviet-era sanatorium into a recovery center for servicemen to treat both mental and physical ailments.

APTOPIX Russia Ukraine War — A woman adjusts her hood as she walks between the graves of soldiers, during the funeral of Hennadii Kovshyk, who was killed on the frontline in eastern Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Photos from Kharkiv

Kharkiv, Ukraine, became Albuquerque’s 11th sister city last month. Establishing this relationship comes at a time of turmoil for Kharkiv which has been the target of Russian attacks since the beginning of the Russian-Ukraine war, and sustained billions in damage.

Half a world apart, the mayors of both cities celebrated the partnership virtually in June.

“We’re grateful to foster a relationship with Kharkiv that transcends borders and promotes peace and understanding,” Mayor Tim Keller said. “The people and leadership of Kharkiv are incredibly resilient, and we stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian friends, especially as they defend their democracy against Russian invasion.”

“The war continues, and in these difficult times it is especially important for our city to feel the support of the United States of America as a strategic partner of Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression,” said Mayor Ihor Terekhov. “I am deeply grateful to all Albuquerque citizens and to Timothy Keller personally for this important step towards sister cities relations which are of great importance for our city.”

The mayor signs a declaration designating Kharkiv, Ukraine, as Albuquerque’s 11th sister city.

President Dwight Eisenhower started Sister Cities International in 1956 with the goal of creating peace through global connection. Albuquerque’s first sister was Chihuahua, Mexico.

In the spirit of peace and understanding, here are five things to know about Albuquerque’s new sister city, Kharkiv.

1. It’s the second-largest city in Ukraine: With a population of 1.4 million people, Kharkiv is about half the size of Ukrainian capital Kyiv, which is home to 2.8 million. And, Kharkiv was once the capital — but not of modern-day Ukraine. For about 15 years starting in 1919, Kharkiv was the capital of the Soviet Republic of Ukraine. Kyiv became the capital once again in 1934.

2. This isn’t the first time in recent history that Kharkiv has been at the center of Russian/Ukrainian conflict: In the past decade, Kharkiv has been at the crux of tensions between the two countries. In 2014, pro-Russian separatist protesters briefly took control of a city administrative building. A year later, a bomb went off at a pro-Ukrainian demonstration, which Ukrainian officials attributed to a Russian attack.

3. It’s located in the northeast part of the country: The city is much closer to the Russian border than capitol Kyiv.

4. It has its own tramway: The Sandia Peak Tramway has been one of the biggest tourist attractions in Albuquerque since it was built in the 1960s. Robert Nordhaus and Ben Abruzzo were inspired to build the tram after riding a similar tram in Europe.

Kharkiv has its own tram, built in the 1970s, where acrophiliacs can ride in brightly-colored compartments and take in forest views of the Maxim Gorky Park. But the length of the ride — which spans about 4,500 feet — pales in comparison to that of the Sandia Peak Tramway, which stretches about three times the length.

5. It’s a tech hub: According to Sister Cities Albuquerque President Pam Feather, the city is known as a technology hub. Open source software company GitLab was founded by Kharkiv software developer Dmytro Zaporozhets out of his house in Ukraine. The city is also home to hundreds of other IT companies and several technical schools. The city’s technology industry is valued at several billion dollars.