– I think I love my country even more now, says 17-year-old Yaryna Luka. NRK meets her at a sidewalk café in Lviv. Yaryna’s hometown is so far west in Ukraine that they have avoided the worst campaigns. Around Lviv you can buy tourist souvenirs with Ukrainian flags and slogans that show support for the country’s soldiers. National pride is great in Ukraine, and many want to express support in various ways. Such as by buying a cup with flags and slogans. Photo: Charlotte Berrefjord Bergløff / NRK It is clear that it is not only Yaryna who feels the national pride and community that has emerged during the war. Even though it is every day, with street musicians and square arches reigning in Lviv, they are constantly reminded that the war is ravaging other places in Ukraine. And sometimes the plane alarm in Lviv also sounds. The evening can be nice in Lviv, but sometimes the plane alarm can go off after dark. Photo: Charlotte Berrefjord Bergløff / NRk Future tourist guide When it was at its worst, life was quite dark for Yaryna. The plane alarm often went off, the city was attacked several times from the air, and Russia’s plan was to conquer all of Ukraine. Also Yaryna’s hometown, Lviv. Nevertheless, Yaryna had threatened that one day she would return one day. – I never thought we could lose this war, says Yaryna, and tell that she put her trust in the Ukrainian military and government. It is today three months since Russia invaded Ukraine by force. During that time, Yaryna has started going to a psychologist, because it has been difficult to witness war in her own homeland. But now she dreams of the future again, and the day when she finishes her studies in tourism, may have gotten a job as a tourist host, and can welcome tourists to the country she loves. – It is very beautiful, and we have a very good kitchen here, with many good restaurants, advertises the upcoming tourist guide. Light for peace, in the church in Lviv. Photo: Charlotte Berrefjord Bergløff / NRK A light and a painful quote “What shall I say to the church sound tomorrow?” That was the question that the priest in Lviv asked his colleague at the front furthest east in the country. It is as if the war had ravaged Agder, and a priest in Tromsø had asked what was actually appropriate to say. «Say: Love each other! And believe in saying, on our soldiers. They are a symbol of the soul of Ukraine “, was the answer given to the priest in Lviv. Heartbreaking quotes from the children of the war are hung in a church in Lviv. Some of them have lost their father for good. Others miss their father because he is in the military. Photo: Charlotte Berrefjord Bergløff / NRK NRK visits the church in Lviv where it is possible to light a candle, and where posters with Ukrainian children are hung up. On each poster there is a quote from the child that is depicted. The quote is about the child missing his father. For most Ukrainian fathers of young children, soldiers are no. Arsen wants to play But four-month-old Arsen does not miss his father. Although not all Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 are allowed to leave the country, not all of them participated in the war as soldiers. Dad Lubomyr, and mom Marta, are both with their little boy on a city trip in Lviv. Arsenic was newborn when the war started. The small family has now expected a new day with both diaper changes and plane alarms. – Now I just live in this situation. We have no way out of here. My husband is here, and of course I do not want to leave here. We just wait, and stay on the porch here, says Marta. The little family tries to enjoy every day. Lubomyr and Marta Nekrasovy are on a city tour with little Arsen. Photo: Charlotte Berrefjord Bergløff / NRK In Lviv, they are used to the fact that they can suddenly be in danger. When the alarm goes off, they have to decide what to do. Should they seek cover in the basement, and thus risk that the entire building may fall over the basement, or should they stay calm where they are? – Of course we are afraid every time the alarm goes off. It is not a good feeling that you have to constantly figure out what is best to do. There is always a risk. Always, tell 29-year-old Marta. Arsen is sitting on his arm, but has now had enough of NRK talking to his mother. He wants to play. Because that’s what children should do. And without the risk of a bomb coming down from the sky. – We hope all this is over pretty soon. For real, living in a situation like this … I do not quite know what it is to say about it, says Marta, before Arsem gets his will and the little family goes on. The slogans are many, and the Ukrainian colors can be seen everywhere in Lviv. Photo: Charlotte Berrefjord Bergløff / NRK
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The war has become commonplace in large parts of Ukraine – NRK Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
