In the very heart of Skien, the Ukrainian community gathered for an event that became a symbol of unity, memory, and resilience. The organizers, Building Bridges, Ukrainsk Kreativitet Og Identitet Skien, and Hjelp til Ukraina, created a space where Ukraine was felt not as a distant country, but as a living presence — in words, in songs, and in people. The evening had one goal — to support Ukraine and its defenders, and to remind the world of the truth about the war that has been ongoing for twelve years.
An important part of the evening was a charity auction conducted by Bohdana Kozak, head of Building Bridges. The proceeds from the auction will be donated to the 420th “Hort” Brigade.
The hearts of many were also touched by the speech of volunteer Lyuda Syvak, a woman whose journey from the first days of the full-scale invasion has become an example of resilience and humanity. Her words were not just a story — they were a confession, a testimony that touched everyone in the hall. Lyuda spoke about her volunteer path — a path of pain and loss, but also of strength born from love for her people.
She mentioned the people who, alongside her, make the impossible possible every day, including foreigners such as British citizen Roger Baker. She also told about the incredibly talented Ukrainian artist, writer, and director Valeriy Puzik, who, together with others, has been defending the country for many years. On the front lines, he writes books and paints on ammunition boxes. Her speech was a reminder: war is not statistics, it is lives. It is the people who hold the sky over Ukraine every day.
Memorable testimonies that cannot be forgotten: guests heard the speech of former soldier Denys, who shared his personal experience of service. Victoria Gulkvich, head of Ukrainsk Kreativitet Og Identitet Skien, also presented a timeline of events since 2014 — an important context for the Norwegian audience, who often do not know that the war has been ongoing for twelve years.
Footage of destroyed Ukrainian cities was shown, painful yet necessary as a reminder of the price of freedom.
A particularly strong impression was made by a video of Norwegian volunteer Ole and his organization Hjelp til Ukraina — proof that Norway does not just sympathize, but actively supports Ukraine.
Culture as a weapon of resilience: the local Ukrainian choir filled the evening with the atmosphere of home. Their singing became a symbol that Ukrainian culture is our weapon, our memory, and our identity.
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Photo: from the author’s archive