Thank you for this powerful story, Darya. I cannot imagine not having an ancestral home to return to because of political persecution. Your Grandmother sounds like a person who has witnessed so much, yet she perseveres and survives.
Thank you, Michael! Yes, my grandmother is incredibly strong woman who went through so much, but always stayed kind and honest. I shared a story about her in this essay:
I will check it out soon, Darya. I appreciate what you do. And I am very sorry about all of the hardship and destruction that your homeland has suffered. I hope that creep Putin will face justice some day.
Thank you! It’s Belarus, not Bela-russia. Belarussia is the colonial name that Russians gave Belarus to show that it wasn’t an independent country but a part of Russia. This name was created during the Soviet times. As soon as Belarus broke free from the USSR, it regained its original name, but Russians, including the most liberal ones, continue to call Belarus Belarussia to this day.
OMG this is so beautiful and powerful and sad. My family came to the USA from Ukraine and Belarus and Lithuania. I have visited Lithuania many times but have never been to the other two “homelands.” It’s just heartbreaking.
Thank you, Donna! I hope you will get a chance to visit Ukraine and Belarus. I don’t know how much time should pass for Belarus to be free, but I hope that we will see Ukraine victorious in the near future!
So true Darya. Thank you for setting things straight. I am Polish, living for 10 y in Switzerland. I have visited Belarus, and not only Minsk but also the poor villages, have Belarusian friends , some of them had to leave their homes and families. I traveled to Russia till Feb.2022, and still work with ukrainian partners and friends. I got used to the naivety, shortsightedness, indifference, even stupidity of many westerners. Your voice is important. keep it up! all the best to you and your family, especially Grandma :) Jarek
My ancestors came from Ukraine. I am saddened that there is so much pain and suffering there now. I will never give up hope that they will free themselves from the aggression of Putin. Thank you for your thoughtful writing.
It is really good to read your words, Darya. You have a sharp mind and a big heart. “Spineless grifters” is such a great way of putting it. They are also ‘kurvas’. Pardon my French, couldn’t resist.
More fantastic writing with great insight Darya…”spineless grifter” being among my favorite metaphors here.
Thank you, Jeffrey!
Thank you for this powerful story, Darya. I cannot imagine not having an ancestral home to return to because of political persecution. Your Grandmother sounds like a person who has witnessed so much, yet she perseveres and survives.
Thank you, Michael! Yes, my grandmother is incredibly strong woman who went through so much, but always stayed kind and honest. I shared a story about her in this essay:
https://daryazorka.substack.com/p/belarusian-culture-family-memories
I will check it out soon, Darya. I appreciate what you do. And I am very sorry about all of the hardship and destruction that your homeland has suffered. I hope that creep Putin will face justice some day.
I just realized that your homeland is Belarussia, not Ukraine. Sorry about that.
Thank you! It’s Belarus, not Bela-russia. Belarussia is the colonial name that Russians gave Belarus to show that it wasn’t an independent country but a part of Russia. This name was created during the Soviet times. As soon as Belarus broke free from the USSR, it regained its original name, but Russians, including the most liberal ones, continue to call Belarus Belarussia to this day.
Thanks for clarifying that for me, Darya. I appreciate the update!
A. Deeply moving piece spoken from your heart 🫂❤️
Thank you, Anita!
In Venezuela, is rhe same. For few is like a happy world of Aldous Huxley
Unfortunately. Maduro and Lukashenko are best friends.
Yeah i kow...i live in one of this distopias
Know**
OMG this is so beautiful and powerful and sad. My family came to the USA from Ukraine and Belarus and Lithuania. I have visited Lithuania many times but have never been to the other two “homelands.” It’s just heartbreaking.
Thank you, Donna! I hope you will get a chance to visit Ukraine and Belarus. I don’t know how much time should pass for Belarus to be free, but I hope that we will see Ukraine victorious in the near future!
Even Lukashenko says that Belarus will never be part of Russia, despite his ageements with Putin bringing Belarus closer to Russia.
So there is still hope that Belarus will someday be free. Maybe after Russia loses in Ukraine.
Never give up hope.
I hope so to. I am so worried about the war. But I always am hoping for better times to come soon.
Thank you for sharing this. I know what you mean about feeling that your heart is divided and how the pain is unbearable right now.
Your words are beautiful, and the message behind them is profound. I am sorry you are suffering.
Thank you, Jeremy! ❤️🩹
Yes, these “fellow travellers” do a lot of damage.
💯
Absolutely spineless grifter, with no morals at all.
100%
So true Darya. Thank you for setting things straight. I am Polish, living for 10 y in Switzerland. I have visited Belarus, and not only Minsk but also the poor villages, have Belarusian friends , some of them had to leave their homes and families. I traveled to Russia till Feb.2022, and still work with ukrainian partners and friends. I got used to the naivety, shortsightedness, indifference, even stupidity of many westerners. Your voice is important. keep it up! all the best to you and your family, especially Grandma :) Jarek
Thank you, Jarek!
As a tourist I don’t think we can ever really know what it’s like to live there. It’s a good opportunity to learn the history.
💯
My ancestors came from Ukraine. I am saddened that there is so much pain and suffering there now. I will never give up hope that they will free themselves from the aggression of Putin. Thank you for your thoughtful writing.
Thank you!
That actor is spineless.
💯
It is really good to read your words, Darya. You have a sharp mind and a big heart. “Spineless grifters” is such a great way of putting it. They are also ‘kurvas’. Pardon my French, couldn’t resist.
Thank you, Paul! 💯
Lovely poem. The actor appears to be something of a human cul de sac. We should be relieved our moral compasses are in better shape than his.
Thank you!