I'm coming back from a 10 day stay in Lviv with my wife who speak a bit of Ukrainian. The few people we met, an historian researcher on WWII at Lviv Urban History Center, a mother and her 11 y son, refugees from Mariupol, a poet whose grandfather painted the frescoes at Paris Ukrainian church and who offered us a graphic essay on History of Ukraine by Kapranov Brothers, all insisted on us spreading the truth and fight the ennemy's narrative. Never forgive, never forget...We non Ukrainian have a role to play.
Don’t EVER stop telling your story, Darya. Never stop telling your truth, your experience, your fears, your hopes, your dreams. Some people have to look away for their own reasons. But that should never result in you stopping your story. It is essential for your survival and the survival of people everywhere who are experiencing cultural and spiritual erasure at this desperately horrific time in history. Your voice is critical right now. It is more important than ever. We are in this together, all of us, all over the world. Never give up talking, sharing, being who you are. We love you and support you. 💙🩵💜🌎🌍🌏🗺️
I love your writing, even though your stories more often than not break my heart. These are stories we need to hear, so please keep telling them. I don’t believe the Russian victimization stories, just like I don’t believe the victimization stories that the current occupant of the White House tells.
If I ever get a chance to meet you in person, you're getting the longest hug I'm capable of giving. You always say what needs to and must be said. Those people trying to silence you are small creatures who don't understand what it is to truly love. Because when you truly love someone or something, you can't be silent about it. Nor should you.
Thank you, Rachel! 🫂 You are so right, activism and advocacy come from love. You can’t watch something or someone you love being hurt or destroyed and do nothing.
Darya, by reading your stories and poems I have learned some history and life I never would have learned otherwise. Please keep sharing your stories, even if you do not have anything “positive”, optimistic, fun, or upbeat to say in the moment.
Yes, it is scary* and painful to read about suffering. But I know from experience it is much harder for the writer than it is for the reader, and even more painful for the people who have experienced the suffering.
The people of Belarus and Ukraine who have suffered horribly* deserve to be heard.
Thank you for being their voice.
*It is normal to feel afraid when witnessing someone else’s suffering, because the same suffering could happen to me or my loved ones. So some of our natural protective responses include dismissing or denying reality, blaming the victim, and/or telling ourselves the same would never happen to us.
**Please pardon my use of the passive voice in this phrase.
I did not know how to write this sentence in the active voice to say that millions of russians — in russia and abroad — are continuing their centuries-long efforts to destroy the Ukrainian people, language, culture, and history.
Thank you Darya for this important and eternally frustrating message! As we push forward with our July 27th Fundraiser in Pine Plains New York, your poem resonates.
Fans of Darya, please check out my substack post with a recording of Romain Frugé reading Darya's translation of Vasyl Sagayduk's A Commandment:
If you live in the Northeast, come to the event at 5:00 PM. You will get food, drink, inspiring speakers, poetry and music all for Razom for Ukraine. Follow link above for tickets and info. Full event description below.
THE EVENT: ‘Words to America from Ukraine;’ an experience to strengthen the connection of our Dutchess County community to the unwavering spirit of Ukraine.
The event will commence at 5:00 PM with a Reception Cocktail Hour featuring Ukrainian food and drinks. The official program kicks off a bit before 6:00 PM with a Welcome from the organizers and keynote addresses from our speakers. This will be followed by the Words+Music program featuring spoken word recitation by members of our community of contemporary war time Ukrainian poetry alternated with traditional Ukrainian folk music performed by the Ukrainian Village Voices ‘a New York City-based collective of Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian singers, whose mission is to preserve and revive the polyphonic singing style of Ukraine’s villages.’ The event will conclude with a live auction of art donated by local artists and food experiences ranging from a Taconic Distillery tasting kit, to tables for four at Champetre and Stissing House, to an Oyster Party for Eight or Ten in one’s home. Oblong books will have some of the volumes of poetry and prose from which the event organizers drew the words from Ukraine.
With the exception of the eventbrite ticket fees, 100% of all proceeds collected will go to Razom for Ukraine.
THE SPEAKERS Maria Genkin (Razom Board member) and Jed Sunden (Founder / Director American Ukraine PAC)
Maria will speak on where the donations go: the Programs of Razom for Ukraine which include:
Razom Relief where ‘we helped more than 1,000,000 people by providing food and shelter, psychological support and clean water, winter supplies and spaces for kids to learn and socialise. We achieve this by partnering with more than 150 local and grassroots organizations that know the needs of their communities better than anyone else...Most of our help is targeted towards small communities where there are less resources’ and Razom Heros which ‘is delivering life-saving aid to the first responders and front-line medics.’
Jed will speak on: why the War in Ukraine still matters to America, the unabated horrors inflicted upon her people by Russia, and the work of the American-Ukraine PAC to ‘support pro-Ukraine Democratic and Republican members of Congress to solidify the U.S.-Ukraine relationship.’ Just as the support for Ukraine has been from all quarters of our Northern Dutchess community, ‘Bipartisan support for the U.S.-Ukraine relationship is essential to ensuring Ukraine’s long-term safety and security, and our PAC reflects that core value.’
OUR RECITERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS: Romain Frugé (veteran of Broadway and beyond); Mike Topp (Poet), and Leevi Ernits (Architectural Designer, Humanitarian, Event Co-Lead)
THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Ten ordinary folk who care deeply about Ukraine: Co-Leads Mark Lagus and Leevi Ernits, along with Jim Bole, Jeff Brouws, Wendy Burton, Diane Duffus, Anastasia Gudko, Ben Miller, Leslie Nilsson, and Jan Schwarz-Miller.
WHY IT MATTERS TO US? (Mark & Leevi)
It’s personal. We are Estonians. Me first generation born in the US; Leevi born and raised there. Estonia shares a border with Russia and was swallowed by its neighbor in 1944 as the Eastern front moved back west. Both of our families experienced the brutality and multi-generational trauma of Russian subjugation although–except for one of my grandfathers who was deported to Siberia–my family was able to flee to The West. The brutality and horrors Russia inflicts daily upon Ukrainians therefore feels familiar and is exactly what our homeland would experience if not for Ukraine’s endurance.
Ukraine is fighting with bravery, courage, and ingenuity for what we Americans hold dear: the right to determine one’s future; to choose one’s destiny; To refuse to be anyone’s colony; To refuse to be ruled by a tyrant; the freedom to seek life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These values should resonate with every American.
Russia is not our friend. They are working to destabilize the world order led by the US. They are attacking The West on hot and cold fronts across the globe. Ukraine’s defense therefore is defending us as well. Moreover, when at our behest in 1994 Ukraine gave up the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world, we pledged to guarantee her sovereign territorial security. For any number of reasons, this fight is our fight.
WHY POETRY?
Poetry is able to reach into and connect with the soul of the listener in ways that news stories cannot like fishhooks into our souls. A few words of poetry can invoke volumes. Poems are not just for lovers or for describing nature. They can connect us with urgency to current issues. The poems chosen for this event are all taken from contemporary Ukrainian poets; most were written since the full-scale invasion began. All of them connect us to the experiences of a nation fighting for its survival.
Your essay reminded me of a quote I encountered in Victoria Amelina's book, by Ukrainian journalist Vira Kuryko: “I hate those stories that end with a false positivity, where people say that the main thing is they are alive.”
Writing on war in Ukraine is the courage to tackle "hard" stories as well, the ones which don't always have a positive ending. Thank you for writing about this!
Don’t stop telling the truth no matter what people think. That is what we need to hear. Good luck!
Thank you!
I really appreciate the chance to hear a Belarusian voice. Thank you for writing.
Thank you, Anna!
I'm coming back from a 10 day stay in Lviv with my wife who speak a bit of Ukrainian. The few people we met, an historian researcher on WWII at Lviv Urban History Center, a mother and her 11 y son, refugees from Mariupol, a poet whose grandfather painted the frescoes at Paris Ukrainian church and who offered us a graphic essay on History of Ukraine by Kapranov Brothers, all insisted on us spreading the truth and fight the ennemy's narrative. Never forgive, never forget...We non Ukrainian have a role to play.
Yes, Ukrainians cannot do it alone ❤️🩹
Don’t EVER stop telling your story, Darya. Never stop telling your truth, your experience, your fears, your hopes, your dreams. Some people have to look away for their own reasons. But that should never result in you stopping your story. It is essential for your survival and the survival of people everywhere who are experiencing cultural and spiritual erasure at this desperately horrific time in history. Your voice is critical right now. It is more important than ever. We are in this together, all of us, all over the world. Never give up talking, sharing, being who you are. We love you and support you. 💙🩵💜🌎🌍🌏🗺️
Thank you! ❤️
I love your writing, even though your stories more often than not break my heart. These are stories we need to hear, so please keep telling them. I don’t believe the Russian victimization stories, just like I don’t believe the victimization stories that the current occupant of the White House tells.
Thank you, Teri!
If I ever get a chance to meet you in person, you're getting the longest hug I'm capable of giving. You always say what needs to and must be said. Those people trying to silence you are small creatures who don't understand what it is to truly love. Because when you truly love someone or something, you can't be silent about it. Nor should you.
Thank you, Rachel! 🫂 You are so right, activism and advocacy come from love. You can’t watch something or someone you love being hurt or destroyed and do nothing.
Just go on with telling the world the truth even if the truth is too painfull to overcome ... that's what "you" endure
Thank you for your diaries
🙏
Darya, by reading your stories and poems I have learned some history and life I never would have learned otherwise. Please keep sharing your stories, even if you do not have anything “positive”, optimistic, fun, or upbeat to say in the moment.
Yes, it is scary* and painful to read about suffering. But I know from experience it is much harder for the writer than it is for the reader, and even more painful for the people who have experienced the suffering.
The people of Belarus and Ukraine who have suffered horribly* deserve to be heard.
Thank you for being their voice.
*It is normal to feel afraid when witnessing someone else’s suffering, because the same suffering could happen to me or my loved ones. So some of our natural protective responses include dismissing or denying reality, blaming the victim, and/or telling ourselves the same would never happen to us.
**Please pardon my use of the passive voice in this phrase.
I did not know how to write this sentence in the active voice to say that millions of russians — in russia and abroad — are continuing their centuries-long efforts to destroy the Ukrainian people, language, culture, and history.
Thank you for your support, Bill!
Thank you Darya for this important and eternally frustrating message! As we push forward with our July 27th Fundraiser in Pine Plains New York, your poem resonates.
Fans of Darya, please check out my substack post with a recording of Romain Frugé reading Darya's translation of Vasyl Sagayduk's A Commandment:
https://marklagus.substack.com/p/two-weeks-to-go-words-to-america?r=1tggo9
If you live in the Northeast, come to the event at 5:00 PM. You will get food, drink, inspiring speakers, poetry and music all for Razom for Ukraine. Follow link above for tickets and info. Full event description below.
THE EVENT: ‘Words to America from Ukraine;’ an experience to strengthen the connection of our Dutchess County community to the unwavering spirit of Ukraine.
The event will commence at 5:00 PM with a Reception Cocktail Hour featuring Ukrainian food and drinks. The official program kicks off a bit before 6:00 PM with a Welcome from the organizers and keynote addresses from our speakers. This will be followed by the Words+Music program featuring spoken word recitation by members of our community of contemporary war time Ukrainian poetry alternated with traditional Ukrainian folk music performed by the Ukrainian Village Voices ‘a New York City-based collective of Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian singers, whose mission is to preserve and revive the polyphonic singing style of Ukraine’s villages.’ The event will conclude with a live auction of art donated by local artists and food experiences ranging from a Taconic Distillery tasting kit, to tables for four at Champetre and Stissing House, to an Oyster Party for Eight or Ten in one’s home. Oblong books will have some of the volumes of poetry and prose from which the event organizers drew the words from Ukraine.
With the exception of the eventbrite ticket fees, 100% of all proceeds collected will go to Razom for Ukraine.
THE SPEAKERS Maria Genkin (Razom Board member) and Jed Sunden (Founder / Director American Ukraine PAC)
Maria will speak on where the donations go: the Programs of Razom for Ukraine which include:
Razom Relief where ‘we helped more than 1,000,000 people by providing food and shelter, psychological support and clean water, winter supplies and spaces for kids to learn and socialise. We achieve this by partnering with more than 150 local and grassroots organizations that know the needs of their communities better than anyone else...Most of our help is targeted towards small communities where there are less resources’ and Razom Heros which ‘is delivering life-saving aid to the first responders and front-line medics.’
Jed will speak on: why the War in Ukraine still matters to America, the unabated horrors inflicted upon her people by Russia, and the work of the American-Ukraine PAC to ‘support pro-Ukraine Democratic and Republican members of Congress to solidify the U.S.-Ukraine relationship.’ Just as the support for Ukraine has been from all quarters of our Northern Dutchess community, ‘Bipartisan support for the U.S.-Ukraine relationship is essential to ensuring Ukraine’s long-term safety and security, and our PAC reflects that core value.’
OUR RECITERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS: Romain Frugé (veteran of Broadway and beyond); Mike Topp (Poet), and Leevi Ernits (Architectural Designer, Humanitarian, Event Co-Lead)
THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Ten ordinary folk who care deeply about Ukraine: Co-Leads Mark Lagus and Leevi Ernits, along with Jim Bole, Jeff Brouws, Wendy Burton, Diane Duffus, Anastasia Gudko, Ben Miller, Leslie Nilsson, and Jan Schwarz-Miller.
WHY IT MATTERS TO US? (Mark & Leevi)
It’s personal. We are Estonians. Me first generation born in the US; Leevi born and raised there. Estonia shares a border with Russia and was swallowed by its neighbor in 1944 as the Eastern front moved back west. Both of our families experienced the brutality and multi-generational trauma of Russian subjugation although–except for one of my grandfathers who was deported to Siberia–my family was able to flee to The West. The brutality and horrors Russia inflicts daily upon Ukrainians therefore feels familiar and is exactly what our homeland would experience if not for Ukraine’s endurance.
Ukraine is fighting with bravery, courage, and ingenuity for what we Americans hold dear: the right to determine one’s future; to choose one’s destiny; To refuse to be anyone’s colony; To refuse to be ruled by a tyrant; the freedom to seek life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These values should resonate with every American.
Russia is not our friend. They are working to destabilize the world order led by the US. They are attacking The West on hot and cold fronts across the globe. Ukraine’s defense therefore is defending us as well. Moreover, when at our behest in 1994 Ukraine gave up the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world, we pledged to guarantee her sovereign territorial security. For any number of reasons, this fight is our fight.
WHY POETRY?
Poetry is able to reach into and connect with the soul of the listener in ways that news stories cannot like fishhooks into our souls. A few words of poetry can invoke volumes. Poems are not just for lovers or for describing nature. They can connect us with urgency to current issues. The poems chosen for this event are all taken from contemporary Ukrainian poets; most were written since the full-scale invasion began. All of them connect us to the experiences of a nation fighting for its survival.
Thank you, Mark! Love the recording of the poem!
Thank you for using your voice and sharing your works with us.
Thank you, Donna!
Your essay reminded me of a quote I encountered in Victoria Amelina's book, by Ukrainian journalist Vira Kuryko: “I hate those stories that end with a false positivity, where people say that the main thing is they are alive.”
Writing on war in Ukraine is the courage to tackle "hard" stories as well, the ones which don't always have a positive ending. Thank you for writing about this!
Thank you! ❤️🩹