Category Archives: English
The Sirens
“We don’t need people who panic or fly into a fit of hysteria,” Oksana tells me, looking me straight in the eye. It is a beautiful August afternoon. We are standing on the small balcony at the back of the … Continue reading
The Kitchen Ants
In an unassuming pavilion in front of a prefabricated housing estate in Troieshchyna, a north-eastern district of Kyiv on the left bank of the Dnipro, a small glass door bears the inscription “Мурашки” (Ants). Below it is a colourful picture … Continue reading
I went to Kyiv. That’s me.
Why would an older woman like me want to go to a country at war? Isn’t this very controversial, even crazy or irresponsible? I am neither a politician nor a diplomat, a journalist, a professional aid worker, a medic or … Continue reading
The Field of Mars
The Field of Mars in Lviv (Марсове поле) is a military cemetery and War Memorial for Ukrainian soldiers who died during the Russo-Ukrainian War. This is Mariia. She comes here every day.
The Night the War Came to My Street
I am in Lviv. Last night, I was woken shortly before 4 a.m. by a roar and a loud bang. Something like a huge, fast aeroplane had roared over my head.
The Tunnel Of Hope
A month ago I visited Sarajevo – one of those evocative places I have wanted to see for a long time. What comes to my mind when I think of Sarajevo? The Balkans, cultural diversity, East meets West, the Siege … Continue reading
Is It Okay to Travel to Bad Countries?
At Easter we visited Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan was the only one of the three Caucasian countries where we hadn’t been yet; we had been to Georgia several times and twice to Armenia. Azerbaijan is a more interesting and varied country than … Continue reading
Arigato, Japan!
In late October and early November of this year, my husband and I travelled to Japan. I enjoy sharing my travel experiences on Facebook. In the evenings, I summarize what I have seen, learned, or experienced. However, Facebook is not … Continue reading
Do You Want to Play Basketball?
When I am in Luxembourg, Ukraine seems far away. At the same time, we have become accustomed to the war, like to a new reality that will stay with us for longer. People don’t talk much about it anymore. As … Continue reading