We have to hope for the future of Ukraine, especially that peace can come very soon and with it compassion from all sides …
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| St Sofia's Cathedral, Kiev |
I have been wondering what to post for a week now – but need to do a penultimate #WATWB post … the regular postings will discontinue after March, but I may well carry on in some format …
I'm posting on positive aspects of Ukraine – its literature, music and art, culinary traditions … to give an overview of parts of their culture – encouraging you to look further.
Years ago I first came across “A Short History of Tractors in Ukraine” - the hilarious and award winning debut novel by Marina Lewycka …
I love the cover image where the title is set out using depictions of gear wheels, nuts, bolts, spanners, etc … my first, and so far, only Ukrainian novel.
A friend mentioned Mussorgsky's “Great Gate of Kiev” … a wonderful resonating composition inspired by folklore – an amazing listen.
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| Hartmann's design for the entrance to the Ukrainian city of Kiev |
Mussorgsky was inspired to compose his suite 'Pictures at an Exhibition' after touring the exhibition of 400 works by the artist Victor Hartmann. Hartmann's early death at 39 shocked Mussorgsky along with others in Russia's art world.
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| Cossack Mamay, playing a kobza |
Cossack Mamay is encountered in legends, folk stories and proverbs … and is today one of the most enduring characters in Ukrainian folk painting.
As you might expect I have to include culinary arts … I heard an interview with the London-based Ukrainian chef, food writer and food stylist, Olia Hercules … which sent me to find out more.
She had commented that Kiev was a beautiful bustling European city full of young inspirational and energetic peoples … and if she'd been there at the weekend … she'd have been going to Kanapa restaurant where they serve modern Ukrainian-European dishes … she mentioned one: Bortscht made with smoked pears from the Poltava region in central Ukraine.
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| Ukrainian Bortscht |
She was so concerned saying that the people suffering were just regular people: like us …
The humanitarian needs are enormous … the bordering countries have immediately set up way-stations for food and water on arrival, tents, then warehouses providing essentials … ranging from medical assistance, care packages, day-to- day items … even to offering jobs, accommodation, car transport …
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| The Kind Angel of Peace, Ukraine, located in Donetsk |
… even a midwife and psychologist have made themselves available …
The cities in Ukraine are taking a battering – poor, poor people … I cannot imagine what their lives must be like.
Their President and government are being extraordinarily thoughtful and inspirational – an example for many.
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| One of their symbols ... great fields of them grow in their central region |
The Ukrainians do not deserve this – their normal outlook of happiness, optimism, honesty, desiring peace is being sorely tried …
I just wanted this post to have some positivity in it – and now I want to find out more about the country, which I'm doing and will continue to do …
However, I thought posting a copy of this image was appropriate for today's post …
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| The Reconciliation |
Josefina De Vasconcellos said:
"The sculpture was originally conceived in the aftermath of the War. Europe was in shock, people were stunned. I read in a newspaper about a woman who crossed Europe on foot to find her husband, and I was so moved that I made the sculpture. Then I thought that it wasn't only about the reunion of two people but hopefully a reunion of nations which had been fighting."
We are the World Blogfest
In Darkness, Be Light
Peace and Compassion for Ukraine
Links: The Great Gate of Kiev - magnificent to hear (6 mins)
Pictures at an Exhibition (36 minutes)
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
