"For any English speaking viewers: this song "A barrel on fire" is a remake of an old Ukrainian folk song "A pine tree on fire", which was about a girl preparing to get married and to start a less frivolous life. Don't ask me why the flaming pine tree – it's symbolic somehow, but I don't get it myself. This modern version is basically also a folk song, as it was written collectively by protesters during the Maidan Revolution. The lyrics of "A barrel on fire" are about people gathering around fires in barrels on Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square in Kyiv) in cold winter months during the protests, sharing food, tea and coffee, giving each other warmth and support."
«Heroes don't die» is a Ukrainian military slogan. It fuels our spirit and keeps our fallen comrades alive in our hearts and memories. But we must also face the hard truth. In reality, heroes do die. This specific person, or another one, is suddenly gone, leaving a haunting void behind. Thus, the slogan has to remain just that, while we need to remember that heroes die, and they are dying for us. And so, it is our obligation to honor their memory by living our lives with courage and dignity, standing up to our enemy just as fiercely as our heroes did for us.
Ukrainian singer and combat medic STASIK released a new song - the lyrics are painful and the video is hard to watch without tears, but everyone should listen to and see it. The song is translated into 20 languages, so choose yours and watch.
I followed his social media since beggining of the full scale invasion on Ukraine. He reported on his actions as a volunteer and for me has was a model of civil courage during the war. But apparently he wants to do even more for his country. I hope he return home safe and give to the world more brilliant novles and poems.
Estonia and Latvia have also joined the Joint Investigation Team to Investigate War Crimes in Ukraine
"Estonia, Latvia and Slovakia have joined the JIT for the Investigation of Russia's War Crimes, which was formed by Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland … Efforts are aimed at a common goal - responsibility for atrocities in Ukraine," said Irina Venediktova.
Sophia has already thrived off,
twinkled off the lilac trusses.
You went to me, yet lingered too long
for the first scream, for the first thunder.
Like a monster in a circle of Hell –
for the shadows are all around, the weakly are.
I bless your willfulness,
oh road of fate, oh road of pain.
The snow and the cold. The winds and the frost.
The whistles and shouts. The blackest cursing.
The barking of dogs. The scream of a loco.
And zakmachines, and zakwagons.
Cross-sleepers and headlights, dogs and soldiers,
railings, and bars, and fences.
Drop and go. Rise and go.
The machine guns shove our shoulders.
A square heart in a squared circle,
in a mortal square we shall fall to the fate.
I bless your willfulness,
oh road of fate, oh road of pain.
At the final crossing of rage and horror,
at the final insight of mortal scream,
grant, oh Ukraine, a proud path,
grant, oh Ukraine, a proud face!
Vasyl Stus, 1986
Уже Софія відструменіла,
відмерехтіла бузковим гроном.
Ти йшла до мене, але не встигла
за першим зойком, за першим громом.
Немов почвара в пекельнім колі,
довкола ж тіні, довкола кволі.
Благословляю твою сваволю,
дорого долі, дорого болю.
Сніги і стужа. Вітри й морози.
Гудки і крики. Чорні прокльони.
Собачий гавкіт. Крик паровоза.
І закмашини і заквагони.
Шпали і фари, пси і солдати,
рейки, і пруття, і загорода.
Впали і хода. Встали і хода.
В плечі штовхають нас автомати.
Квадратне серце — в квадратнім колі,
в смертнім каре ми падемо долі.
Благословляю твою сваволю,
дорого долі, дорого болю.
На всерозхресті люті і жаху,
на всепрозрінні смертного скрику
дай, Україн��, гордого шляху,
дай, Україно, гордого лику!
Василь Стус, 1986