On Feb. 24 exactly two years ago, acclaimed Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov was jolted awake by the boom of a missile landing in Kyiv.
There were three strikes at 5 a.m., then two more one hour later.
“There was no doubt anymore that a war (with Russia) had begun, but I still did not want to believe it,” Kurkov wrote in his “Diary from an Invasion.”
In the book, he serenely chronicles his life over a period of a little over six months, interspersed with his observations about the history of his beloved Ukraine and the complexity of its language.
He, too, was one of many Ukrainians who were forced to flee far away from home.
War destroys routine life. But sadly, war has become a way of life in Ukraine in the last two years. In his recent social media post, Kurkov commented to the effect, “This war will be drawn out, and we must learn to live with it.”
According to a colleague of mine who is reporting from Ukraine, air raid alerts were issued in Kyiv 25 times in the last month or so, totaling 29 hours.
Once issued, an alert can last for several hours. When parting with a friend, there is the thought that their paths may not cross again.
That is probably what living in wartime boils down to.
Ukraine is not the only victim of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression. Also under attack are freedom of speech in Russia and international social order. We must not forget that.
Kurkov noted in his diary that the lives of Ukrainians have been segmented into “before the war” and “during the war.” And he added to the effect, “Of course, we are all praying for the eventual arrival of the ‘postwar’ era.”
Its arrival can never be too soon.
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 24
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Related articles:
Related suggestion:
Cate Blanchett ditches her red carpet gowns for a laidCar ploughs into primary school and sparks mass evacuation of pupilsPeople enjoy outdoor activities as spring flowers bloom across ChinaChinese company issues carbonAide of German EU lawmaker arrested on suspicion of spying for ChinaHaiti health system nears collapse as medicine dwindles, gangs attack hospitals and ports stay shutSeattle hospital won't turn over genderShipwreck archaeology unveils glory of Maritime Silk RoadCate Blanchett ditches her red carpet gowns for a laidLyrid Meteor Shower peaks tonight with up to 18 shooting stars overhead every hour
2.3642s , 6506.4609375 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by VOX POPULI: The war in Ukraine enters its 3rd year with no end in sight ,Earthly Insights news portal