Before the war, the world knew about us that we were part of the Russian empire, we have Shevchenko, Klitschko and Chernobyl. Now there is a war, and the world sees our courage and the will to freedom. What new may the world know about Ukraine after our victory?
Sasha, Ukraine:
I’m sure that after war, tourism will increase in Ukraine. Many foreigners will want to see places where people fought for independence. This applies not only to the capital of Ukraine, but also hero cities as Kharkiv, Mariupol, Irpen, Bucha and others. The names of these cities will be in world memory forever. Of course, people in the world should know about our the best military, politicians, volunteers and all people who make everything for our victory. Our culture is so popular today and will be in the future. Moreover, I believe that one of the American film studios will make a film about the Ghost of Kyiv).
Diana, Rome:
All this terrible month I was staying in Lviv, trying to volunteer and find different ways to help. But recently I left Ukraine, because it’s getting tense everywhere. I’m so ashamed for feeling scared. It’s surprised me a lot – how much I love everything around me and how easily I can lose it. It’s something that you can’t accept in first days, and then it becomes more and more usual with every other day. And you just understand that nothing is stable in this world.
Now I’m staying in Rome. I really appreciate all Italy is doing for Ukrainians here, but it’s unpleasantly surprising how many people here support Putin and see the problem in NATO. I never thought that in 2022 someone in Europe can be okay with fascism. It seemed that Europe already learnt this lesson, but it’s not. I’m trying to find answers why they like that, and the only reason is that they so far from Russia, they cannot understand the real threat. I talk a lot with local people, and I’ve also met people who strongly support Ukraine, and feel scared for all Europe and world. They all saying that they feel themselves lonely in their position.
Physically I’m in Italy, but all my thoughts and feelings are in Ukraine. All my family now in the Crimea, and it’s no direct danger there. It makes me calmer, but I know that they’re experiencing another kind of difficulty right now – they’re living in a very totalitarian society.
I wish all of us strength and patience in the way to our victory. I know exactly that we will win
Julia, Kyiv:
Personally I want the world to know about many things from our culture. For example, Ukrainian avant-garde! The names of Malevich, Ekster and many others artist are still perceived as russian, though they aren’t.
Also, I’d love if people would get some education on our national costumes and embroidery, because they are extremely unique and important.
Marharyta, Kyiv:
I think these circumstances, and events that are happening in Ukraine right now represented to the whole world that Ukraine is a strong democratic country, that no one can come here and control us, to dictate his own rules. No, they can’t do it. The whole world should be aware of the stoic and patriotic spirit of Ukrainians.
Natalia, Kyiv:
I have some fear that, being very kind people, we will forgive everything very quickly, we will start listening to Russian music, reading something from literature, we will again refer to russian classics, we will say that after all, someone supported us, and we can’t consider everyone as aggressors, our empathy is indestructible. This is probably good, because a kind person, a strong person, but I don’t know what to oppose, I think you understand my idea.
The image of the country is first of all people. I remember one of the conversation, before the war we talk about prejudice and stereotypes, we told about our strenghts and weaknesses. When we talk about our image in the world, answers were different. Some think that we are too proud, other suppose us provident and practical, and my hut is on the edge.
In one group, students gave an example of a recent series on Netflix where a Ukrainian woman was shown in an impartial light, it outraged everyone and there was a media scandal about it.
But now I think that no one will come up with such a stereotype after this war. Who will dare to present a Ukrainian woman or a Ukrainian man in an unsightly light? russians? or enemies, and as you know, these are the same people.
We made the world change their mind. Today we are people who write history.
