Kyiv, 23 August 2024 – The Museum of Civilian Voices by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation is marking the Independence Day of Ukraine with a collection of stories about civilians who have saved and protected the Ukrainian flag, which is available here: https://civilvoicesmuseum.org/en/collages/den-prapora-ukrayini-istoriyi-lyudej-yaki-zberegli-tavryatuvali-simvol-derzhavnosti-pid-chas-vijni
The National Flag of Ukraine is a powerful symbol of independence, which Ukrainians have defended for centuries. The blue represents the clear sky over the land, and the yellow is the wheat and barley Ukrainians grow to feed themselves, Europe and the world. At a time when the russians are trying to eradicate Ukraine and its national identity, the flag is the symbol of Ukraine’s collective resistance, resilience and heroism.
The flag is as sacred as person. All Ukrainains work hard to preserve it, keeping it safe like a piece of the Ukrainian heart.
Here are some of the stories you can find at the Museum of Civilian Voices:
Oleksandr Chesta is a native of Mariupol, who was jokingly nicknamed a “Banderite” for his patriotic stance. He lived in Mariupol until the end of April 2022. Before he left, he divided his Ukrainian flag and hid it in two chairs. He desperately wants to return and once again hang the flag outside his window.
Sofia was caught by shelling in Kurakhove in the Donetsk region and suffered a concussion. Her flag was signed by soldiers who helped her: “I am donating a flag signed by soldiers to the Museum of Civilian Voices. They are defending our borders.”
Olena is the principal of a school in Kopyliv. While under occupation, she feared for herself and her loved ones every day, as enemy patrols constantly searched homes. Her school was damaged during the raids but withstood the assaults and is ready to welcome children again. Throughout the entire occupation, the Ukrainian flag flew over the school.
Tetiana lives in the village of Novoprokopivka. Her house was occupied by Russians for eight months and she spent almost two years under occupation. A few times a month, she was able to travel to see her children, to let them know that she and her husband were alive. In all that time, she kept a large Ukrainian flag safe.
Nearly 117,000 civilian Ukrainians have entrusted their stories to the Museum of Civilian Voices of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, which has collected the world’s largest collection of first-hand accounts of the war in Ukraine.
