Olha Melashenko

- What motivated you to take part in our project?- My poetry has always been very personal. But the war united and generalized the feelings of all Ukrainian women. Most of us are now separated from our loved ones. Someone went abroad and left her love in Ukraine. Someone is waiting for a husband, son, brother from the war. We have a common pain, a common hope, I expressed this in a poem and I want these words to be heard and resonate with people.-How did the war in Ukraine affect you personally?- Since the beginning of the war, I lived for two weeks under daily bombardments. I left the city along the road that the Russians were shelling. And there were no guarantees that I would survive. I had only a backpack with documents and the most necessary things. I lost my job, my younger brother is in the army now, and my parents had to move from their home to a safer area. But the war also gave me meetings with people who became very dear.- Tell about your project partner. What is common between you? And what are the differences that make you complement each other?- Anders' father was from Palestine, so war, pain, separation from his native land are not just empty words for his family. We are from different countries, but we are united by a sense of protest against the injustice and cruelty that any war brings. The life of every person is precious, and war destroys souls, even if it does not kill the body.- A few words about your joint work. Why did you decide to implement this idea?- The poem we have chosen is full of pain, but it also holds a lot of hope. And this bright light in the darkness gives strength to live and believe that a loved one will be safe.- What would you like to wish the audience of the project? - Please don't forget that a terrible war is going on right now in the heart of Europe. For now, you can sleep peacefully at the cost of the blood of the Ukrainian army and the tears of the Ukrainian people. But if we do not win, there will be much more tears and blood, and not only in Ukraine. Therefore, I ask everyone to help us to the best of their ability.- The first thing you will do when the war is over.- I'll drink champagne for the victory of Ukraine.- What is the main message of your art work?- Separation does not kill true love, but only makes it stronger.