Author:
Mariia Kucova
When I was little, my parents and I used to go to the Drama Theater a lot. And on Svobody (Freedom) Square, there were these birds that lit up with colorful patterns. We’d also take family trips to the sea. I loved it. The water was always warm. So pleasant. My dad and brother would toss me up in the air. I’d dive and swim. We’d laugh. And whenever my grandpa went somewhere, he’d always bring me a poppy seed bun.
Marharyta is 13, with delicate features and olive skin, like dark wax. Her wavy, unruly hair refuses to be tamed. Her dark eyes carry a trace of sadness, even when she laughs.
Stillness and Storm
Marharyta was born in Mariupol. She lived there until the large-scale invasion began. The girl describes her life before the war with vivid memories and a smile, reminiscing about the beach, Veselka Park, walks with her dog, and playful times with her older brother. Her demeanor remains open and clear until we broach the topic of 2022. At that point, her expression shifts noticeably, and she falls silent for a long moment before requesting to skip questions about that period.
Marharyta’s grandfather passed away on March 2, 2022, while she was by his side. After suffering several strokes, he had been mostly bedridden during the last year of his life. The final stroke left him completely paralyzed, unable to do anything but observe the space around him.
Share: