The world will not be gazing at the greening of iconic buildings and historical structures this St. Patrick's Day.
And the reason is the war unleashed on Ukraine by Russia.
According to Tourism Ireland, which organizes the global greening project, Global Greening started in 2010, when the Sydney Opera House was illuminated in green to mark the 200th anniversary of the first reception held in 1810 for Irish ex-pats by Governor Lachlan Maquarie in New South Wales.
"Over the last 12 years, the project has captured the world’s attention, with a record 725 global icons in 71 countries around the globe lighting up green last year. The project has galvanized Diaspora communities around the globe and reminded us all of the importance of what it means to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day," said a Tourism Ireland release.
"2022 is a very different year and as a mark of respect to the situation in Ukraine, Tourism Ireland has taken the decision not to promote the Global Greening initiative for St. Patrick’s Day."
Tourism Ireland said that "normal promotional activity" around St. Patrick’s Day would continue as part of the organization’s overall marketing program to restart overseas tourism this year, this for an industry that "has faced extremely difficult circumstances since the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020."
Added the release: "Tourism Ireland looks forward to rolling out its biggest ever Global Greening promotional program again in what we hope will be a more peaceful world in 2023. We would like to thank the Department of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora groups around the globe, who have been valued partners in this project."
