Foto Guy Ackermans What experts considered impossible happened nonetheless, a large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. If you listen to podcasts from just before 24 February, the day Russia invaded Ukraine, it feels as if you regress several years. To a time when a large war in Europe was no more than a black and highly unlikely scenario.
In the international WUR-community, Ukrainians and Russians are never far away. In my case, very close. My friend Anna, a student at WUR, has a Ukrainian mother and Russian father. She is fluent in Russian and knows people in Ukraine. Her step-nephew, with whom she used to play on vacations in Ukraine, is permitted to leave the country as he is considered unfit for armed combat.
We did not volunteer for combat. But we did volunteer for peace rallies on the Dam
We only allow a modest percentage of global issues to seep into our daily lives, lest we have no personal life left at all. We did not volunteer for combat. But we donated money and blankets, and we volunteered for peace rallies on the Dam. The first of which was attended by a staggering fifteen thousand protesters. The Dam couldn’t fit them all. Although it does not solve war, it provides those afflicted with mental support and encourages strong government policies.
I consider a sense of humour and perspective in the face of imminent and even present calamity a typical expression of both Ukrainian and Russian culture. The Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is a perfect example, as is the Ukrainian official Twitter account @Ukraine. This account is managed by young people who add memes for flavour (if you have never heard of memes, google). Young Ukrainians record TikTok videos in the bomb shelters and provide commentary on small and large issues through memes.
Young Ukrainians record TikTok videos in the bomb shelters and provide commentary on small and large issues through memes
We are at the Dam with our homemade placards. Anna drew a meme that was shared on the @Ukraine Twitter feed; I made up a slogan. During the protest, a friendly lady asks us if she may take a picture of Anna’s placard. The lady turned out to be the well-known actress Victoria Koblenko, with two hundred thousand followers. She shares Anna and her protest sign on her Instagram. A podcast with experts discussing geopolitics is helpful, but nothing beats refreshing communication in the shape of memes (see pictures).
Steven is a master’s student of Economy and Governance and enjoys playing squash. He is always open to a game of squash and a good conversation. You can reach him by email.
