Hi!
I'm writing this letter to you from the village.
An Internet connection is enough for posting occasional pictures. I'm sitting on the stairs near the house, enjoying the warm and beautiful weather. My eyes are bathing in this beauty.
I spent my childhood summers in this village. Maybe for this reason, I’m in love with nature. As everything breathes it here. And this blessed silence. They don’t have sirens in the village. They have so bad internet and mobile connection that news is lost their way sometimes. They plant vegetables in the early spring, milk cows, collect eggs, breed pigs, and pick up the harvest in autumn. They work hard with their iron hands.
It wasn't always like this.
There was a front line here during the First World War in 1914. The village was evacuated, and its residents sought refuge in the Czech Republic. People left their homes, taking horses, cows, and whatever belongings they could. Only one house remained untouched, as the others were destroyed during the war.
Even my grandmother's parents had to leave. My great-grandmother's first husband was killed in this war. The story of my life begins with her second husband, my great-grandfather.
From the Czech Republic, my dearest great-grandmother brought these icons, which still hang on the walls of this village house.
My family's story holds many untold secrets, as every family does. However, some live on in our memory, and we pass them down to our children.
War: Hi
Me: You!
War: Yes!
Me: What are you doing here?
War: Just checking on you.
Me: Really? Please, leave us alone for now. I need some time to recover. The past few days have been difficult.
War: Hm. What if I miss you?
Me: Close the door behind you.
War: Okok. But I'll be nearby in case you need anything.
Me: Are you crazy?
War: Perhaps. Haha.
I think we need a more uplifting picture. I have taken tons of them.
Another story I want to tell you is about a traditional Ukrainian garment called a zapaska. Women used to wear it on top of their skirts.
Below, you can see my grandmother's zapaska. She hid it because, during the Soviet Union era, the blue and yellow colors (representing the Ukrainian flag) were prohibited. People could be imprisoned or even killed if someone discovered them. My grandmother wore this zapaska at her wedding in 1943.
History repeats itself. Nowadays, the Ukrainian flag is banned in occupied territories. People hide their allegiance by wearing blue and yellow colors only in their hearts.
The colors on the wedding photo are B&W. But it is zapaska. And my grandparents.
My grandfather's parents were sent to Siberia because their three sons were part of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UIA). My grandfather was one of these three sons. He was imprisoned while his parents were sent to Siberia. Sadly, my great-grandfather passed away within a week of their arrival, possibly due to the extreme cold or the harsh conditions of being transported in freight wagons meant for animals.
My grandfather survived his imprisonment, which lasted for eight years (though he was sentenced to 10). He was eventually released after the death of Stalin, as political prisoners were freed following the dictator's demise.
My great-grandparents brought their 16-year-old son (out of their seven children) to Siberia, and he miraculously survived. Some time ago, he sent this cross back to our family. Now, it hangs on the wall of our village house.
Now, we need some colorful pictures, perhaps (more pictures I will publish later on Instagram). Life continues, and we remain brave enough to protect our land, towns, and villages.
Ukraine is a beautiful land that has endured suffering for a long time. I hope every part of it will be free and prosperous one day, filled with children's laughter and with blue and yellow flags waving freely from every house.
Yours,
Yara (or Yaroslava)
