Ukrainian Artist Anna Ivanenko Reflects on Wartime Life in Kyiv for The Guardian
In a first-person article for The Guardian, Ukrainian artist Anna Ivanenko shares her experiences of daily life in Kyiv during the ongoing Russian invasion. Residents often describe fleeting moments of normalcy as 'This feels pre-war.' Simple pleasures, such as evening strolls and future planning, have turned into rare luxuries. The presence of war looms even over leisure activities, with theater performances marred by the risk of attacks and Eurovision performers enlisted in the military. A recent drone incident involved a crash at a coffee shop, which has since reopened, now featuring QR codes for military donations. This week, missiles hit Kyiv, injuring more than twenty individuals following the US Congress's approval of a sanctions bill against Moscow. Ivanenko also reflects on her visit to Sopot, Poland, highlighting its historical importance and the blend of diverse narratives within its spaces.
Key facts
- Anna Ivanenko is a Ukrainian artist based in Kyiv.
- She wrote and illustrated a first-person piece for The Guardian.
- The article describes the phrase 'This feels pre-war' used by Kyiv residents to describe moments of normalcy.
- A drone recently crashed into a coffee shop in Kyiv; it has reopened at a new location and supports military units via QR code donations.
- This week, another missile and drone salvo struck Kyiv and other cities, injuring more than two dozen people.
- The strikes occurred hours after the US Congress passed a sanctions bill allowing the country to target Moscow.
- Ivanenko recently visited Sopot, Poland, near Gdańsk, and reflected on its history: Hitler used a hotel there as headquarters during the 1939 invasion of Poland, and Putin stayed at the same hotel in 2009 for the 70th anniversary of WWII's start.
- She concluded that a place has as many versions as it has witnesses, and these versions can exist simultaneously.
Entities
Artists
- Anna Ivanenko
- Adolf Hitler
- Vladimir Putin
Institutions
- The Guardian
- US Congress
- Eurovision
Locations
- Kyiv
- Ukraine
- Sopot
- Poland
- Gdańsk
- Dnipro River
- Moscow
- Russia