Current location:opinions >>
VOX POPULI: The war in Ukraine enters its 3rd year with no end in sight
opinions47515People have gathered around
IntroductionOn Feb. 24 exactly two years ago, acclaimed Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov was jolted awake by the b ...
On Feb. 24 exactly two years ago, acclaimed Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov was jolted awake by the boom of a missile landing in Kyiv.
There were three strikes at 5 a.m., then two more one hour later.
“There was no doubt anymore that a war (with Russia) had begun, but I still did not want to believe it,” Kurkov wrote in his “Diary from an Invasion.”
In the book, he serenely chronicles his life over a period of a little over six months, interspersed with his observations about the history of his beloved Ukraine and the complexity of its language.
He, too, was one of many Ukrainians who were forced to flee far away from home.
War destroys routine life. But sadly, war has become a way of life in Ukraine in the last two years. In his recent social media post, Kurkov commented to the effect, “This war will be drawn out, and we must learn to live with it.”
According to a colleague of mine who is reporting from Ukraine, air raid alerts were issued in Kyiv 25 times in the last month or so, totaling 29 hours.
Once issued, an alert can last for several hours. When parting with a friend, there is the thought that their paths may not cross again.
That is probably what living in wartime boils down to.
Ukraine is not the only victim of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression. Also under attack are freedom of speech in Russia and international social order. We must not forget that.
Kurkov noted in his diary that the lives of Ukrainians have been segmented into “before the war” and “during the war.” And he added to the effect, “Of course, we are all praying for the eventual arrival of the ‘postwar’ era.”
Its arrival can never be too soon.
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 24
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Global Gallery news portal”。http://gloriosoislands.allesfuersjagen.com/news-29c899968.html
Related articles
New Jersey and union ask judge to dismiss anti
opinionsATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Atlantic City’s main casino workers union and the New Jersey attorney gen ...
【opinions】
Read moreMasterful meals: Roast pheasant with a chestnut and cider cream sauce
opinionsRoast pheasant, chocolate roulade and this sublime soup... a new book features spectacular dishes fr ...
【opinions】
Read moreDesign doubles: Pink loafers
opinionsBlowout Who else would make the perfect pink loafer adorned with a chic horsebit detail but Italian ...
【opinions】
Read more
Popular articles
- Italy's League party picks a provocative candidate for European Parliament election
- Serial mistress, 54, enjoys luxurious £5,000 trip to Costa Rica
- Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and Sarah Ferguson all don traditional spring shade
- Rustle these up with Rosemary: Sun
- The US is building a pier off Gaza to bring in humanitarian aid. Here's how it would work
- Dame Kiri Te Kanawa honoured for her achievements in Parliament
Latest articles
ACL injuries are more common in women soccer players than men. We may learn why
Government agrees to slash road user charges for plug
Core blimey: Poached pears with blackberry drizzle and hazelnut shortbread
Masterful meals: Roast pheasant with a chestnut and cider cream sauce
Kansas has new abortion laws while Louisiana may block exceptions to its ban
Lily Ebert, 100
LINKS
- Former shoemaker admits he had an illegal gambling operation in his Brooklyn shop
- Johnny Depp embraces co
- Police seeking arrest of Pennsylvania Rep. Kevin Boyle
- Bob Graham, ex
- Queen Letizia of Spain is elegant in an off
- Trump goes from court to campaign at a NYC bodega
- Pulisic and McKennie face each other as rivals in Italy before joining forces again for US
- Taylor Swift's upcoming album The Tortured Poets Department will be promoted with a multi
- Sports discussed as a force in rural revitalization at Two Sessions
- Royals at White Sox game has been postponed by rain