Olesya Zhdanovych, doctor of historical sciences, lecturer at Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University
As part of the “War Diary” project, we ask Ukrainians how they perceive and experience the terrible (but in many ways decisive for our future) war events. These are students from different universities and different parts of Ukraine, teachers, historians, who since the beginning of the war have been involved in various public organizations and volunteer movements etc. Ukrainians with an active public position work in the field of education, journalism, and are public figures.
Today I had the opportunity to talk with Olesya Zhdanovych, doctor of historical sciences, lecturer at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. She graduated from the history faculty of KNU, worked for a long time at the Institute of Ukrainian History of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, then returned to her native university for doctoral studies and stayed to teach at her native department of the history of the ancient world and the Middle Ages.
Olesya Zhdanovych, at a charity concert in support of Ukraine in Athens in April 2022
On the eve of the great war and the first days and weeks after February 24th
February 24th, 2022 will forever enter Ukrainian textbooks as one of the most tragic, terrible, defining pages of our history. This is one of those pages that you can talk and write about forever, because it affected literally every Ukrainian. Please describe how you experienced these events.
A few months before the start of the full-scale invasion, I had a strange premonition of something terrible and inevitable. I thought I was anxious about defending my PhD in September of 2021. That’s why that significant day in my life was preceded by months of painstaking and intense work on writing, drafting, collecting documents for defense. Then immediately – a busy academic semester, when I worked around the clock and hardly rested at all. News, expert and not so expert opinions from everywhere: “will they attack or not?” – all this accompanied my autumn and winter as a disturbing background. The second semester began at the end of January with the students’ diplomatic practice, which I, along with other colleagues in the department, had the honor of leading. It was necessary to find speakers, arrange meetings with interesting people from all over the world who could speak to the students. All this was combined with lectures and seminar classes. Our last practice meeting was scheduled for 11 am on February 24th. We had an agreement with the speaker from Athens. I remember that terrible morning well. At 6 am I was woken up by a call from the head of the department, who said that all events for today are canceled because the russians are bombing Kyiv. He was the one to break the news that forever divided my life into before and after. Then a decision was made to leave the city, to take out my teenage daughter, to save her psycho-emotional state. That morning, trying to collect the most necessary things, completely unaware of what I was doing, performing certain actions automatically, I still somehow reassured my friends who called and were looking for support: “well, you’re a historian, tell me what is going on? It will end soon, right? It’s not true, is it?” And I didn’t know how to choose the words, how to say that everything will be fine. Because I wasn’t sure of it myself. I understood that I had to act, and then time will tell. That day seemed almost the longest during the entire war. Together with my brother’s family, we went to visit relatives in the village. We drove 100 kilometers for 7 hours. I remember well how we stopped at the gas station: gray cold day, piercing wind, cold both outside and inside. People around were all scared, they hardly communicated with each other.
The most important thing was somehow to calm my daughter and give her at least some reassurance that everything will be fine. We did everything automatically and we set short-term goals, like: get out of the car, fasten the jacket, drive to the destination, decide which relatives to go to (because we have several in the neighboring villages). And don’t think about tomorrow, don’t think about your parents who stayed in Kyiv. Because the imagination began to paint the most terrible things. So, gripped by paralyzing fear, we drove to our destination. We settled in with relatives, who, fortunately, met us very kindly and hospitably. It was also fortunate that they did not panic, did not aggravate the atmosphere, but on the contrary, tried to defuse it. They were engaged in usual affairs, just lived while they were alive.
After about two weeks of being in relative safety (we could only hear the distant sounds of explosions from the nearest town, which was about 25 km away), I decided that I had to do something. I could no longer sit and wait for the unknown, having no strength and energy to work. Friends invited me to Greece, promised to help get there. I only had to get to Chernivtsi. But it turned out to be another quest: it was almost impossible to get out of the faraway village without any car and with a child. One incident helped us. Close friends were getting out of the shelled suburbs of Kyiv, fleeing at night in an old car with faulty brakes. They were driving towards Chernivtsi to visit their relatives. I offered to make a small detour and spend the night with us, so as not to drive at night through a huge number of roadblocks, risking the danger of meeting some SRG. They came to us at 1 am in a state of great stress. They told terrible stories… In the morning we dared to go. The decision was quite difficult: to leave a more or less peaceful place and go nowhere. There were no guarantees that we would get there easily. Just like what it would be like in Greece – where will we live? Where will we get money from? Will someone help us there? No guarantees. We drove at random. When we were on the way, a friend wrote to me that fellow historians from the UK can help me as a Ukrainian historian-scientist, they even offered me a job. But for that I had to land somewhere, think, write them a letter and start taking the necessary actions. We did not have such an opportunity. Our transfer point was in Kamianka, we were sheltered for one night. I started looking for options to rent something for a few days, but it was all in vain, the city was crowded, no one was renting out housing. The same situation was in Chernivtsi. So, by chance, we ended up in that city, and from there we set off for Athens, through Lviv, along with the members of the Greek society of Kharkiv, through Lviv. I will not recount in detail the way from Chernivtsi to Lviv by train. I will only say that it was on the exact day when Frankivsk was shelled, and we were driving past it. Then there was a sleepless night at the railway station in Lviv in the waiting room, because there was a curfew, and no one was allowed outside. Eventually, with some adventure and the help of random people who became our friends in an instant, we found ourselves on a bus speeding us to a new life.
Sea, Greece. Photo from Olesya’s personal archive
Piraeus, Greece. A new stage in life
The next stage of my new life began with my arrival to Athens, or rather Piraeus, where we arrived early in the morning. We were met by representatives of the city hall, who were waiting for the arrival of the Ukrainian Greeks. Some kind of aid program for ethnic Greeks from Ukraine has worked for them. My daughter and I were left in this group because of my knowledge of Greek. It was necessary to translate and adapt these people to stay in a new country with an unfamiliar language. So we ended up for several months under the protection of the city hall of Piraeus, together with members of the Kharkiv Greek society. We were given free housing and food for several months. Little by little, we came to our senses, got out of stress and got used to new realities. Somewhere in April, I started working again, it was necessary to finish the academic year. I worked online, held lectures, seminars, often communicated with students who were writing term papers and diploma theses under my supervision via video communication. I was not only a teacher, but more of a psychologist. The children really needed support, even to just talk, to feel that life goes on. The summer turned out to be eventful. We rented housing, actively participated in various concerts organized by the Embassy of Ukraine in Greece and various public organizations, in particular, Ukrainian women in Greece. Here I remembered that I am not only a historian, but can also sing a little to the guitar. However, I actively used my main profession: I gave several lectures for Ukrainians under temporary protection in Greece. For several months, on a volunteer basis, I taught the Greek language to the people who I came here with, sorted humanitarian aid at the warehouse for sending it to Ukraine.
With the consul of the Embassy of Ukraine in Greece Anna Tishchenko (in the center, holding a book) at the presentation of the book by the Ukrainian historian Lilia Bilousova, on the right – Oksana Romaniuk, an employee of the Ukrainian-Greek Chamber of Commerce
It should be said that Greece did not and does not provide any monetary payments to Ukrainians who fled the war and received temporary shelter here. We have the right to live and work, the opportunity to attend Greek language courses, some were able to get a subsidy for housing. There are several organizations that provide humanitarian aid to our people, mainly food and clothing. A very nice initiative, organized by our volunteer organization together with the Association of Licensed Guides of Athens, is to conduct free tours of the city accompanied by a professional guide. Even though Greece has been in a crisis for a long time, the country’s government provides conditions for a comfortable life and work for Ukrainian women. Children go to Greek schools, visit Ukrainian Saturday or Sunday educational institutions, various festivals and cultural events.
In mid-July, I had the opportunity to attend the reception of the President of the Greek Republic, Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou. The event took place with the participation of the Embassy of Ukraine in the garden of the Presidential Palace. I was impressed by the simplicity and sincerity of Ms. President in communicating with us. During the speech of the head of the Federation of Greek Societies of Ukraine, which at that time had recently escaped from the occupied and destroyed Mariupol, Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou burst into tears in front of everyone.
Olesya Zhdanovich is on the right side, next to her is the President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou (fourth from the left)
You are currently working abroad and of course you are talking to different Ukrainians who are currently living in Greece. What do they tell you about their war experiences? Can you think of a few stories that really touched you?
Of course, all people are different. And among our compatriots there are different categories. The vast majority behave decently and with gratitude to the people and the country in which they are currently living. Others behave as if everyone owes them everything. They try to get more and more stuff for free. They deceive volunteers and even their own friends. Mostly, this is how people, who are far from being poor, behave. One gets the impression that people are trying to get the most benefit out of the country they are in. Perhaps we all had a different level of life in Ukraine, some people escaped abroad for the first time, saw a different life, or the stereotypes imposed by past generations about life in the West are working. One of my acquaintances once told me that I got a tremendous opportunity for a social elevator after leaving Ukraine. I was a bit confused, honestly. I left everything in Kyiv: my own spacious apartment with fresh modern repairs, my favorite job at the best university in the country, career, status, parents, friends. In terms of money and status, I didn’t gain anything. I ran away not from poverty, but from war, in order to save life and at least mental health for myself and my child.
This war showed the true attitude of the people. I especially felt it when I left Ukraine. Some were very outraged by this, two of my acquaintances, one of whom was actually a close friend, were very offended, and immediately stopped communicating with me after my departure. What is it: envy, anger that they themselves lacked the courage to change their lives? Fortunately, not only did I stay in touch with all the people close to me, but we have become even closer.
Of course, I follow the news, I am happy about our victories, and worry about shelling, power and heat outages. The vast majority of my students are now in Ukraine. So, during my lectures, I want to comfort them somehow. I tell them about Greece, even during lectures on the history of the Ancient East or the period of samurai dictatorships. My lectures have already turned into conversations with elements of psychological support, impressions of modern life in Greece, subtleties of the Greek language, etc. Students provide feedback, share their emotions and thoughts. Someone even started learning Greek. It gives incredible energy and strength to work further. Currently, my job at the university could rather be called volunteering due to the unprecedented reduction in wages. However, I am clearly aware of my mission to share what I know with the younger generation. I know what these children need, I have no right to leave them, because I still have a lot to pass on to them.
The last big news that shook Ukraine and the world, in a positive sense, concerned the liberation of Kherson (at the same time with a significant part of Kherson region). It happened in November, and after that the events calmed down a bit, although, of course, major battles continue on all fronts. Kherson was talked about throughout the war, it was always in focus.
What do you think is the importance of this liberation, especially considering the further battles that lie ahead? Do you think this will be described as one of the key turning points of the war in future history books?
The liberation of Kherson was, of course, a turning point in the war. It inspired hope and optimism that still keep many people afloat. I remember my feelings at the moment when I heard the news. On the one hand, joy with tears in the eyes, and on the other – how much will be revealed there, the terrible crimes and bloody abuses of the russists against our people, that we will learn later about. This is just the beginning. A sure start on the way to the complete liberation of Ukrainian territories and our victory over the enemy.
When it comes to the war with russia, many people say that for centuries we had, to put it mildly, difficult relations with russia, and that the russians always wanted to destroy Ukrainian independence and make our land one of the parts of their big empire. One gets the impression that at certain periods in history they succeeded, but Ukraine always sought to get out of this serfdom, even if it took centuries. There is such an idea: what we are observing now can actually be explained by looking into the historical past of Ukraine?
As a global historian, I can say that the imperial thinking of the russians is not a new topic. Similar behavior has happened many times in many historical periods with many peoples. A more or less educated and thinking person could have understood a long time ago that having such an imperial monster of a neighbor would not end good. However, we did not believe. We didn’t want to, couldn’t believe it for several reasons. First of all, Soviet propaganda, which, by the way, I felt for myself at a very conscious age, because I managed to even become a pioneer. The idea of three fraternal nations was hammered into our heads. It was an axiom, there simply could not be other opinions. I saw a different reality when, as a child, I encountered the so-called “brothers” in Germany, while living in a military garrison next to the families of the same russians. They were mentally very different from us, they looked down on the “Khokhols”, as they called us. Our class had its own commander, class captain. And all these so-called positions were held by ethnic russians. And all the others – Armenians, Kazakhs, Latvians, Ukrainians, etc. – were smaller peoples, not noble. We didn’t realize it back then. Although, even then, my parents suffered from ridicule and attacks from the “brothers” because they spoke to us, their children, in Ukrainian. Then, in the 90s, when it seemed that Ukraine began to revive, to build a new page of its history, something went wrong again. Completely pro-russian politicians came to power one after another. Throughout the decade, there was an influx of russian channels on television. All those “songs about the main thing”, as if progressive and liberal “views”, entertaining “kvn”, “field of miracles”, etc. diverted our attention to that culture. At the end of the 90s, thanks to the efforts of a small group of people, the revival of something of our own began – popular Ukrainian music, football, more Ukrainian TV channels appeared, films and series began to be translated into Ukrainian. But this was not enough. We all looked at russia with open mouths in one way or another. Because there, as it was hammered into our heads, everything was of higher quality, better, more cultured. And our inferiority was reflected in our whole life. So, Ukrainians are so used to “brotherhood” that even the most intelligent thinking people did not fully believe in a full-scale invasion. We hoped to the end that it would pass, that the putler was just blackmailing and threatening, but he wouldn’t dare…
Acropolis, photo from Olesya’s personal archive
What, in your opinion, is necessary to ensure the speedy victory of Ukraine? Probably, now the most optimistic forecast is for the next year, but this is a war, so it is difficult to take a guess. What should Ukraine and the world be like, so that never happens again?
Now it’s difficult to predict anything, especially when you are in safety, far from the realities of your country. Our people, our soldiers from the Armed Forces, territorial defense – these are real heroes! As well as ordinary people who donate, volunteer, help in whatever way they can, support the country’s infrastructure in any way they can. I really believe and hope that in the summer I will be able to hug my parents in a peaceful Ukraine, come to my Kyiv, meet with close friends, go to the department where we will hold a festive meeting, finally go for coffee with a colleague and a friend, walk along my favorite streets.
In order to prevent such a terrible war from happening again, we have to do a lot. Of course, it is not in our power to isolate this damned neighbor. The whole nation is sick there, and it will not be cured for several generations to come. You just have to put up with it. But we have formed a conscious civil society. The vast majority of Ukrainians have become more united and aware. If not us, then who? Responsibility for ourselves and for our country must now be borne by every person. And for this, it is necessary for everyone to do what they can qualitatively, each in their place.
I am an optimist, I always believe in the best. But now it is not just an abstract desire.
I know it will be like that. The truth is on our side. And this truth was joined by will, strength and an irresistible desire to live freely on our land, according to our own rules, in peace and love.
We will definitely win! Glory to Ukraine!
Translator: Zoriana Karpenko
