WE identification

WE are openness and acceptance
WE are trust and being trustworthy
WE are reliability that unites

Olena Balaba

Tell me, is there a Day of Fairies and Wizards? - Yes, I know that there is no. And it should be, because everything that is happening with my Ukraine during the last two years is a miracle.
Despite the destruction, despite the terrible sacrifices - sweat, blood, dead, wounded, maimed, we grow as a nation. Thanks to fairies and wizards
- to little women, men, girls, boys, children who
defend the country - each in his own way, to the best of his abilities.
There should be fewer holidays in general, because then they will become more valuable.
Independence Day, Ukrainian Army Day, Christmas, Constitution Day. Passover still falls on a day off, especially since our country is multi-confessional.
All. Then we will appreciate it. Without fake traditions and lies.
The Odesa Euromaidan, which gathered at Duke, began actively volunteering when Hrusha began and blood was spilled. And before that, Grandmother Valya - an old, lame woman with beautiful hair and attentive eyes - came to the square near the Dock every evening. Every evening she brought lard sandwiches and small pies, cookies and cakes - every evening! She fed everyone.
It is hard to imagine that this woman bought or baked all this on her tiny pension and took it to the Maidan every evening. Now nobody calls Aunt Valya a volunteer, they don't give her awards at the Opera House, and probably everything has been forgotten about her.
Our volunteer day is every day - while the war is going on and there are immigrants. I personally consider them fairies and wizards - thanks to them, this country survives. A miracle
In spite of
There was no "I" on the Maidan, there was "WE" on the Maidan.
We protested and wanted change.
We stubbornly stood in the cold and sang, and when the blood and sacrifices began - we rushed to help each other, defending the honor and dignity of all Ukrainians.
The Maidan did not end - because we did not destroy the old Soviet system, which continues to rob the people and rob our Ukraine.

Kateryna Startseva

The revolution and then the war, exposed the true essence of people and showed who is who. from the grayness of chaos began an irreversible process of awareness, for some an epiphany.
So for such people there is no way back. What Ukraine will be in the future depends on each of us.

Vadim Kirov (Arnaut)

"Next - we will act M...
Children are a leap into eternity and the only thing that can change the future. They, unlike us adults, are real and still honest and decent. It's even more likely that I don't teach them, but they
me.
For me, the concept of Ukraine has been unchanged for as long as I can remember ) it is the land of my grandfathers, parents and all who, thanks to me, will remain...

Lyudmila Khersonskaya

They say that friends will turn to each other in trouble. But, probably, the country will be in trouble.
But this is not the trouble that will befall its citizens - each one separately. Our country is in no hurry to help its citizens. The country recognizes itself in trouble. a normal situation when you need to hurry to help it and each other. At the moment, there is no border between you and the country. At this time, you understand especially acutely that this country is yours. And it began and continued with the Maidan, where people, our citizens, stood and froze, sang and died. Each one separately, and all together. Because the country is in trouble.

Varvara Chernoivanenko

Thoughts are forming into a mosaic. It is difficult for me to say something. But I will try.
What do I think? I think that it is not a matter of choosing between revolution and statehood. It is a matter of consistency. And the consistency is always the same: if you want to do something real, first clear the place.
I also believe that clean linen is not put on a dirty body. And I think that “cosmetic repairs” will not help this system.
I also believe that the Organization is a cadre. And to break the old, and to build the new - we must be passionate, people who want to go beyond themselves, beyond their comfort zone. yes They are often “movers”, but they are also “engines”,
“locomotives”, “locomotives” of any progress. And if sub-passionaries begin to manage the process, then we will neither build nor collapse, but will sit together in a swamp for another 100,500 years. In a warm, comfortable, cozy SPA swamp.
It's hopeless and hopeless.
On the positive side: after the Maidan and the war in the East, you can't scare our people and you can't take them with your bare hands.
You know what has changed and what these guys didn't take into account:
It's not scary anymore. It doesn't even stick anymore.
And so.
No one is going to give up.
The revolution continues.

Uta Kilter

When I returned from Europe, or rather from Villas, where I felt like I was in Germany or Austria: where there is no dirt, slop, or dog feces. There are also many cafes and coffee shops there, but you don't hear too loud music like we do. And there are not as many cars that clog all the sidewalks as we do.
Why is everything so ruined here? And the answer is very simple, because Lithuanians treat the country they live in as their own country, their own country!
Most of all, I liked the fact that young people under 22 do not use the Russian language, they do not know the invented language from the times of the history of the USSR, but they know English. Middle-aged people communicate freely in European languages. They have already done it in 25 years, and we do not.
I hope to see Ukraine like this: educated. I am seriously working for this... But we continued to move in the opposite direction, and people could not withstand the bullying, as a result - Maidan!
Which began with the students' participation. At that time, it was the most terrible thing I had ever seen in my life: the blood of young men on the pavement, and even more terrible was the beating ITSELF! I was crying! It seemed to me that I did not know how to cry, but here I was crying.
But then, after Maidan, even more terrible blood began... Bitter, scary and disgusting: because some give their lives for the Motherland, and others are not able to think about anything other than their stomachs...
The only thing that remains (almost as always): contra spem spero = "I hope without hope*

Gleb Vareshkin

The secret of life is not only to live, but to know what to live for. The world is becoming more and more soulless, sinister, and art is the ideology of peace and freedom, and art embodies these ideas in the WORLD. Freedom is the main property of art and intelligence. Creativity and freedom are properties of the individual, as a rational person - Homo sapiens. Our people, defending their freedom in a bloody struggle, showed humanity, proved their civilizational greatness! Glory to Ukraine!

Igor Ivanov

On a warm autumn day, we sat with Lyubov Ivanova, Igor Ivanov's mother, in the "Chocolate Workshop" on Deribasovskaya Street and drank coffee. This Sunday, the popular cafe was crowded, there were many happy families with children, grandparents around. We sat in a corner and quietly talked about him, her son, who became the first victim of that terrible day - May 2, 2014. Not far from here, 20 meters from the entrance to the "Workshop", Igor was mortally wounded. Kulikovo Field activist Vitaly Budko, nicknamed "Boatman".
Lyuba, looking at me with tears in her eyes, asked: "Why did my son die?" We have been dating for a year and a half, I have written two essays about her son, but I still can't find the words to answer this difficult question. Igor was her favorite, her sunshine. She speaks of him approvingly: “He was my conscience, I looked up to him all my life.” Her loss is simply immeasurable. But it is important for a mother to know that her son’s death was not stupid and in vain.
The baby next to us began to act up, her grandmother whispered something gently to him, gave him a drink, and he calmed down. The cool October sun shone through the window, and you could hear how, opposite, at the entrance to the city center, a street musician played jazz roulades on the saxophone. There was a feeling of warmth, comfort and happy bliss. And the answer came by itself: it was for this, for the very opportunity for me, her and all these strangers to sit here, enjoy peace, quiet and aromatic coffee, that her son gave his life...
Tetyana Gerasimova, journalist

Max Trubnikov

At one time, I created a formation of patriotic positivity, because I believed that it was patriotism and positivity that could give Ukrainians the opportunity to love their own and unite in solving the problems that were and, unfortunately, still remain in our country. Now I am actively working on this and, thank God, I see results that give encouragement and understanding of the necessity of my cause. Therefore, I believe and know that every spoken word, every action that does not remain on paper, but goes to people, is necessary for the future of our strong sovereign Ukrainian state!
The main thing is to never stop. No matter how difficult it is and what problems we face, we are a powerful nation of strong people capable of heroic deeds! Glory to Ukraine!

Oleksandr Holopotelyuk

"Message about the future of Ukraine"
For almost 350 years, Ukraine has been in the struggle. In the struggle for independence, for normal European human values, for a better life...
I hope that today is the final stage in this struggle. It is a difficult stage, but we, Ukrainians, must go through it, withstand all the challenges of fate. To go through it for the sake of a free, happy and dignified life for every Ukrainian, every Ukrainian family.
Ukraine will win. Ukraine will become a prosperous and strong state, a worthy member of the world community.
I am proud that I have the opportunity to change Ukraine for the better, I am proud that I am Ukrainian! Each of us is Ukraine!
We believe in ourselves, we believe in Ukraine!
Glory to Ukraine!!!

Kateryna Radchenko

Experiencing historical moments that affect changes in the country and the world is
at the same time a test and a gift. Everyone can become an active link in historical events, join the process of creation on different sides of the barricades, but not everyone prefers to take on risk, responsibility, and courage. Regardless of what position each of us takes, the main thing is not to lose measure, analytical mind, and humanity.

Serghiy Belyyk

Oleksandr Smerechynsky

We live in a Great and Beautiful time in the fate of the Motherland. And it is an incredible blessing to "be an integral part of this time."

Anna Antonivna Rudyk

Oh, my eternal, suffering, torn land! Oh, my Ukrainian! You have endured a thousand trials, you have not despaired because of betrayal; in the darkest times there were Knights capable of saving, sanctifying their every act with love for
You.
I believe in the power of Your Spirit and in the day of Your Holy Resurrection!

Oleksa Gubsky

To the one born in the days of Maidan
"A nation is a multitude of zeros, headed by ones"
D. Dontsov.
Like a fox on the hunt,
Your father is under "maternity" on watch.
Maidan, Velikiy Lug and Black Forest
They are already tired of waiting for you.
A hundred roads have been prepared for you -
The roads are overgrown, cluttered...
There was a sign - lush, strange snow,
Such as has never been seen in the world
Sprinkled this leap year,
Burned the slush with orange specks.
This first snow is like a son's first cry,
Like the first blood - it is only the beginning.
His gait is powerful and young,
His path will become a signpost,
So that his son will find in the snow traces
Brothers in blood, arms and rebellion.
He will definitely become a rebel.
Blindly, hand to hand, in the dark, past dad!
He will certainly be there, where the battle roars.
The time will come - he will rise up to rise up.
It will come in an instant, and like a swift wolf, he will run away into the steppe after the poor...
He is joy, sadness, anxiety for his parents, And a fighting unit for the
Nation.
2007

Alexander Fridman

I have lived in Odessa for a very long time, just as Odesa has lived in me. I have been lucky enough to see many metamorphoses of this city, and, probably, one of my purposes in this life is to preserve parts of the appearance of this place, to leave in our lives fragments of the city THAT IS FOREVER CHANGING.
It is difficult to talk and tell about myself. Even more so to write. The many stories and situations that I can remember and voice are by no means suitable for even a small autobiographical text. These are rather moments that I can tell people, and I do it with pleasure. There are too many of them for a small story, but they are too diverse to compose a whole picture. In my life I have tried a whole bunch of things - different jobs, hobbies, pace of life... Archaeological excavations and work as an installer, perestroika cooperatives and publishing...

For example, one of my childhood memories - we were sitting in class, and on the radio they announced that Yuri Gagarin had become the first person to travel into space. I sat at my desk and cried. Our teacher did what any mentor of the younger generation should have done - she consoled me and assured me that Gagarin was fine. Of course, I could not explain to her that my tears were caused by the realization that I would never have to become the first cosmonaut on Earth. Just as I could not convey my feelings to my Olga Semenovna then, so now I am in a slightly confused state about telling a story about myself. However, I have something to tell.
I think that few people can boast that they received their education as a free listener? And I can. This process took place at the history faculty of Odessa University. After that, for many years, as soon as it became even a little warm, I felt the call of the FIELD. If the authorities did not let me go, I simulated depression, seizures, madness - anything, just to to get to the archaeological expedition. Oh, how many things happened on the excavations!
But how much more I could have told about my adventurous misadventures! 3 How delighted the young ladies looked at me, listening to my stories about courageous archaeologists digging in twenty-degree frost under pouring rain!
And I also had a pink horse. His name was Chervonets - well, because he is pink.
This time it is true. A horse is freedom. While an ordinary Odessan ran to Privoz for flowers, jumped into a stuffy and crowded tram and, covered in sweat, wondered if he would be in time for a date, I went after the girl to the third floor, leading Chervonets under the bridle. Can you imagine my success?
Then I published books on the archeology, history and architecture of Odessa. I am a keeper.
Everything that I see around me, I just want to record on paper. Every day, some gate, some door handle or window frame disappears from the streets. I just want everything that is trying to disappear to be seen somewhere.
To do this, I publish books. About balconies, grilles, agraffes, flag holders, bricks, wells... Even about animals in the decor of Odessa buildings.
Now I have a desire to collect and make publicly accessible the fragments of old
Odessa. Have you ever been to the museum of branded bricks? Yeah! Come here.
And if it weren't for the war, I would have a very good life. I live in the expectation that everything
will be fine, very fine.

Oleksandr Milyukov

Ukraine is probably going through the most difficult moment in its history since independence. Now it has faced the most severe trials. Economic difficulties, the deepest political crisis, the search for a worthy place among European countries. But the most difficult thing in the current situation is not this. The most difficult thing is the war on our native land, the war that I witnessed, the war that takes the lives of ordinary Ukrainians and bleeds from a deep wound in the soul of every Ukrainian. I am sure that all this will make us stronger as a nation, unite us and strengthen the desire to overcome all difficulties.

Snizhanna Ovsyannikova

What I am thinking about today, what I want to convey to the present and future modernity of Ukraine in this difficult for us, but pivotal period of life... I am writing these lines with a sinking heart - the chronology of events runs through my head starting from the Maidan to our days, shrouded in bloody war on Donbass and zhiryushim
Nenki torn apart by the oligarch. It hurts it's hard Disappointment with the government
and power And FAITH! In my mind and in my chest, I am sure that everything is not in vain, I had to go through everything for the sake of the future, for the sake of YOU, children of free and independent Ukraine!

Umanenko Volodymyr

My! Ukraine was not born to me in 1991-2004-2014 - the concept of a country with such a name was heard from birth, and even earlier... parents, grandfathers, great-grandfathers told me to the top.
I understand the current state as young. A 24-year-old person, with all the age-related problems... it happens even stranger..
I would like, and so it will be, that there would be peace, that UA would become a trendsetter, as once the first European constitution, the process of world fashion for peace. Well, the first, and still the only ones, were able to abandon nuclear weapons.
And most importantly, that we learn to count on each other, forget pride as a concept.

Valeriy Puzik

and we would break out at night like birds from the branches amidst the silence of the forest spirits
put on helmets - armor
hooked on RPGs - Kalashnikovs loaded our sleepy bodies
into the body of a ZIL battered by these roads
and fragments of mines.
how many of us?
very few.
we don't even have names as such, no one is waiting for us, and if
it's not like that
then anyway, after death, few people will remember us, this road at night towards the hot fires, these potholes of intersections and the ruins of houses, someone will say later:
I didn't know, I could have saved it but for some reason I didn't save it, and when it gets closer and closer... you stare into the darkness of the faces present...
who will be silent in the morning and who will speak what to speak about if our hundred is killed.
put a candle pray pray with whom then after a quarrel make peace their eyes are full of pain neither fear nor fatigue can be read in them only one thing: forward and to the battle fear is such a thing that kills slowly.
village of Vodiane, July 8, 2015

Ivan Rusev

I was born, raised and live in Ukraine. This is the land of my ancestors, my native land, historical, cultural and natural heritage belonging to my people. In recent decades, I have not felt the unity of the Ukrainian people, which was artificially divided by puppets, hidden separatists and political technologists on the basis of geography, religion, nationality of different ethnic groups inhabiting the south, west, center of our country, political views, etc.
Love for the unique beauty of my land and pain for its destruction made me become an ecologist both by vocation and by necessity.
A huge desire to protect Ukrainian nature and be useful to my fellow tribesmen and preserve the amazing and beautiful world of our land for future generations made me a patriot of my country. In the difficult struggle against the corrupt and bureaucratic system, I developed the principle of Mahatma Gandhi: if you want the world to change,
- become that change yourself, if you want change in the future - become that change in the present
Today, Ukraine is in the most difficult economic situation. But the united spirit of the Ukrainian people is stronger than ever. I am a contemporary and a witness to real changes in the consciousness of my people and, I hope, for many Ukrainians, the philosophy of life "my house from the edge" is a thing of the past. Thanks to true patriots who do not expect praise and awards for their work in the fight against corruption, the fight against sabotage of the huge bureaucratic mechanism of the state machine, we, more than ever, have a chance for cardinal changes. And we, all together, will definitely implement these changes.

In the future, I see my country as a country of free people, a country without corruption, a country with an effective and self-sufficient economy, with a clean environment, with advanced environmental technologies in industry and agriculture, with clean energy technologies, with a huge flow of tourists who will come to us to relax, learn and live with dignity in a beautiful and safe country with a huge historical, cultural and natural heritage.
I would like to wish all the people of our country not to be afraid and not to be indifferent. Believe in yourself, believe in your children, inspire your loved ones and relatives, your environment to create and live a decent life in our country.

Iryna Pototska

My Ukraine is the cradle of Christian culture, the founder of the language, the mother of the Nation.
So it happened that the converts from the Christian Church, and the communist monsters began to claim the Freedom and Dignity of Great Ukraine.
For many centuries, the sons and daughters of Ukraine have been defending its right to its independence.
Each of us is a grain from which a mighty ear of corn can ripen. The healthy grains of the nation
are its beautiful harvest. Each of us must become personally responsible for the fate of our country. It is the weak and meek who have grown the weeds that choke our golden harvest.
Without a doubt, tear out fear and indifference from your heart, or take it to the land in which that barren thorn gives birth. And in our beloved Ukrainian land we will plant seeds of love for the whole country. And when that great, boundless love of your children grows, Ukraine, no enemy will even take a step forward.

Mark Gordienko

The Revolution of Dignity for me is the struggle of Good with 3 crimes... People of Dignity
are the Warriors of God's Army.
Rarely does anyone manage to get to the time and place where such an epic battle takes place.
And those who understand who and for what and for what they are fighting, REALLY, cannot miss this honorable right to join God's army.
We are making history with a capital letter today...

Serhiy Sternenko

We are given little time, and even the time we have can end at any moment.
The main thing is that when your eyes close forever, you are not ashamed of what you LEFT AFTER YOU.
I am not ashamed.
Neither for myself nor for those who followed me.
No matter how our life ends, the main thing is that there is no regret for what has been done.
The fruits of the right path always await us after death.
Only let those who were important to us not hold a grudge against us.

Zoya Kazanzhi

It occurred to me: when we say that there were children on the Maidan who were brutally beaten, we are downplaying their significance. There were citizens of Ukraine on the Maidan. The children were sleeping at home at that time. Can you imagine that if they weren't children, they could have been
killed?
I can't think about anything, I can't do anything, I can't calmly perceive information! We have to win! For our own sake. Because God and fate have not in vain given us a second chance over the past 10 years. Well, how I want to live in a good and beautiful country with clear and simple rules. In a country where there are authoritative state institutions. In a country where the state is not engaged in violence and providing for its officials, but treats, teaches, provides security, builds roads and, most importantly, gives the opportunity to breathe freely and feel like a HUMAN. That's why I
- for the Maidan. That's why for me the guys on Hrushevsky are heroes. Therefore, I will do everything that depends on me. Because it is impossible to do otherwise...
Something is wrong with us. Not right. I drink coffee and go about my daily business in a country where war is going on. In my country, where ordinary boys, even younger than my daughter, are dying. In a country where scoundrels have already put up billboards on which they plan to run for the "new" Rada. In my country, where people have exhausted themselves, collecting money for socks-underwear-helmets-body armor... In a country where it will never be the same again.

Nadiya Yashan

A little bit of my Euromaidan history,
Friends, happy holiday to all of us!
Odessans will celebrate the Day of Dignity and Freedom. This is the anniversary of the day when Ukrainians stopped being silent and loudly declared to the whole world about the European direction of the state. Odessa Euromaidan was an active participant in the Revolution of Dignity. It was difficult, it was terrible and majestic at the same time. The Revolution of Dignity united us all and showed how strong we are! We remember every act of our Heroes, we are forever indebted to those who gave their lives in the fight for Ukraine. We must be strong today so that their sacrifice is not in vain!
Glory to Ukraine!
Glory to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred!
Glory to the ATO soldiers!

Natalia Sumonenko

For 40 years the Jewish people wandered in the desert until the last slave died.
History repeats itself. Do not condemn your country to suffering, do not be
slaves.

Nastasya Sharmanova

Even in every random passerby there is something from a loved one.
Smile A look A gesture. This is the main reason to love people all over the world. After all, people are nothing more than an accumulation of little things and habits. And other people endow them with negative qualities.

Boris Khersonsky

I have lived in Ukraine all my life. I was born, studied, and worked here. Initially, this country was the Ukrainian SSR. It was there, and at the same time it was not there. There was a sad Soviet government, a false brotherhood of peoples with unofficial ranks, which was supposed to be the national composition of students, scientists, deputies... There were constant lies and hypocrisy. And even the traditional Ukrainian costume seemed like a masquerade. But I was lucky. At the age of 17, I first met people for whom Ukraine existed. And it was Ukraine, not the Ukrainian SSR. If you like, it was a dream about Ukraine. And for the sake of this dream, they ended up in camps, in specialized psychiatric hospitals, and were exposed to the daily risk of losing their freedom or even a good job. A country for which one can make such sacrifices cannot but exist. But Ukraine became independent. It would seem that the dream came true. But my friends of the past years felt that the country where they live is not yet the Ukraine, not the one they dreamed of. I remember the disappointment and even the bitterness of those years. Helpless radicalism, attempts to create a new mythology... After two Maidans, territorial and human losses, it took almost a quarter of a century for this dream to come true. Today we live in a Ukraine that will never become the Ukrainian SSR, in a Ukraine where there is solidarity, mutual assistance, and self-sacrifice.

Liliya Klimova

I am hurt by Ukraine...
I used to be surprised by this phrase, but in the last two years we have especially felt that it is exactly so: I am hurt by Ukraine.
This is not some organ, this is not a part of me. This is all of me – a part of Ukraine. And so - it hurts...

Svitana Grigorieva

In 2016, Ukraine will celebrate 25 years of independence.
In a person's life, this is the time of the beginning of psychological maturity. And for this, first of all, it is necessary to survive separation from a large family. And now we can observe this panic of separation on the territory of the country. The next step leads to the awareness of one's personality and the acquisition of the right to initiative, but it is impossible without deep remorse and a sense of guilt for every drop of blood shed.

Serhiy Gutsalyuk

Our people suffered from injustice for many years, we almost lost our language, customs, traditions, and the memory of our ancestors. I noticed this when I was a child, and here in Odessa it was felt very acutely, even then I began to try to defend the honor and dignity of our people at my level as best I could. I was beaten, beaten, and sometimes I even washed myself with soup... but for one beaten person, they give two unbeaten ones. In the family, the elders told me, "Sergey, don't rush ahead, you'll only suffer but achieve nothing, there have been many such cases...-* such remarks still irritate me very much.
I want our future generations not to have to fight every day with all sorts of obstacles, different struggles, such as intellectual, everyday, military.
I want the current war to end in Victory, so that children do not become orphans, mothers do not lose their sons, and women do not become widows at the age of 20. I want my comrades to heal their wounds, both physical and mental, faster. I want us to simply live a full life like all the free peoples of the world. Glory to Odessa! Glory to Ukraine!