People dance to folk music while musicians play outside a bar in Kyiv Ukraine on Aug. 13,2023, amid Russia’s full-scale conflict against Ukraine. (Roman Pilipey / AFP through Getty Images).
I watched a YouTube video recently of a Ukrainian performance at “America’s Got Talent”. A friend sent me the URL, promising that it would amaze me – and it did. You can find it by searching for “Amazing 4D cube show” on YouTube. However, I cringed when Howie Mandel said, “America has love for the Ukraine.” The phrase “the Ukraine”, implies that it is a territory and not a sovereign state. It’s Ukraine, the largest country in Europe. An important nation in its right, the world knows little about this place.
Hollywood’s portrayal of Ukrainian villains as corrupt and gangsters does not help in promoting Ukraine. After living in Kyiv, I’ve seen something completely different. The country I know is full of talented, warm, hardworking people with a great sense of humor. Too many people believe that Ukraine is a warzone since Russia’s full scale invasion.
I’ve heard Mstyslav Cernov, director of the Oscar winning documentary “20 Days in Mariupol,” state that Americans often ask “Is there more in Ukraine than the War?” I’ve also had frustrating conversations abroad with people asking “Is that still going on?”
Before the pandemic I hosted many foreigners who visited Kyiv to explore IT opportunities. Common questions were “Is it safe?” or “Does anyone have internet?” Even more surprising were the comments from the Ukrainian Diaspora. Some people who left Ukraine decades ago in Canada, the country with the largest Ukrainian population outside of Ukraine, have no idea about how far their country has progressed. “Do they have electric vehicles in Kyiv?”
Ukraine is not without its challenges. Many people live on modest wages. There is a growing middle-class, and the big city captures imaginations. Every guest I hosted was blown away.
Kyiv’s food scene is amazing. The food scene in Kyiv is incredible. It can rival New York and London. New restaurants are opening even during the war. The food is amazing. Stand-up comedy clubs, even in English, are popular for a good laugh. There’s always hope where there’s laughter.
I had a Californian friend visit me twice. When he returned to Los Angeles people teased him by asking if he had visited Borat’s land. He said that Ukrainians are like Californians – they’re trying to build their businesses, raise their families, and live a normal life. It’s important to understand that Ukraine is not a backward nation that wants war.
Before the full-scale invasion of Kyiv, I would have bet that it would become Europe’s new hotspot. This brutal war has pushed everything back. Ukraine is not about the war. It’s all about modernity, independence, and a new culture. It’s an energetic country.
Since I can remember, Ukraine has had a bad reputation. Since I first visited Kyiv almost 17 years ago, I have been telling people that Ukraine must work on its image. Now that we are in the third full year of the invasion, the situation is different. Air raid sirens may sound at any moment, and it’s scary when Ukrainian air defenses shoot drones and missiles down. You head to the shelter during those moments. But life goes on.
The idea that all Ukrainians are poor and miserable is a common misconception. Yes, most people do not have an easy life, and yes, there is poverty, but this is true everywhere. I’m from South Africa where poverty is on a different level. In Ukraine, shantytowns are not common. The European host countries were often surprised when millions of Ukrainians fled over the border. They saw modern cars, fashionable clothing, and the latest smartphone. It’s a highly-technological nation. The level of online convenience would amaze any foreigner.
A wave of innovation is also happening. Ukraine is on track to become a leader in the field of military drone technology. Artists create, entrepreneurs develop cool tech, restaurants open, and foreign investors explore opportunities. Ukraine is a wonder. Many people have decided to remain in the country despite the hypersonic missiles, kamikaze drones, and other threats. They are continuing their lives albeit in an entirely different way. The economy must continue to run. The wheels of the economy need to keep turning.
Many passionate and dedicated people work on projects that benefit and support Ukraine. Some people were involved in Ukraine long before the invasion. They were motivated by a deep faith in the country and the people. Since 2018, I have been working with a team of Ukrainian and international artists to create a storytelling project that captures the life of modern Kyiv. “We Are Ukraine” tells the story of extraordinary people who, despite all odds, chose to work, live and have children. It’s not about war, it’s a story of death and destruction. It’s about life. A love letter to Kyiv that shows what the world would lose if Kyiv ceased to exist.
Freedom, independence, identity, and creativity are the culmination and modern humanity. They have been forged through centuries of struggle, creativity, resilience, and perseverance. All other values in civil society are derived from these values. The Russian war in Ukraine has served as a global reminder that these values need to be nurtured and preserved. Ukrainians show that they can not only defend these values but also continue to live, love and laugh in spite of those who want to destroy them.
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed by the authors in the op/ed section do not reflect the views of Kyiv Independent.
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