Symbolic Or Foretelling? Particles Of Ice Moving On A Train Window Resemble Portions Of Ukraine Re-Connecting. And Transforming A Flower Shop.
Symbolic Or Foretelling? Particles Of Ice Moving On A Train Window Resemble Portions Of Ukraine Re-Connecting.
Another Ukrainian Railways evening journey from the largest city in Ukraine, Kyiv, to the second-largest city in Ukraine, Kharkiv. A precise departure; an arrival ten minutes late.
Kharkiv has the distinction of receiving the first missiles launched in the early morning of 24 February 2022 by the armed forces of the Russian Federation which commenced the invasion and further invasion of Ukraine.
As the train journeys from west to east, and the snow accumulates steadily, snowflakes attaching to the outside of the glass windows quickly freeze into various shapes and then begin to melt.
Prior to reliquification, the shapes move, like watching a puzzle mat vibrate which moves the pieces of the puzzle.
The original form resembles the eastern portions of Ukraine- or the viewer wants them to resemble the eastern portion of Ukraine. Regardless, the now moving shapes are re-assembling the map, this eastern portion of Ukraine. The process unfolded during a few minutes… but a fascinating few minutes- where the viewer had to be rooting for the reunification.
The train station in Kharkiv is darkened. Escalators are not operational- nor at the train station in Kyiv to lessen stresses on the energy grid. Streetlights are off. Signage is off. Most lights in commercial buildings are off. Most lights in apartment complexes are off. Statutes and monuments remain covered in sandbags to protect them.
This morning in Kharkiv begins with an air raid siren and message delivered to everyone’s cellular device.
Kharkiv, which prior to 24 February 2024 was a technological center for Ukraine (and will be again) with universities and companies (particularly start-ups, incubators) teaming with activity, popular with expatriates, and a magnate for young Ukrainians, illustrates the complexities that arrive with war and continue with war. Many residents of Kharkiv have long since departed for other areas of Ukraine or to other countries. An important note about those who have departed Ukraine since 24 February 2022- most do not identify as migrants, they are refugees who intend to return to their homes, to their schools, and to their jobs.
Although winter has yet to metastasize throughout Ukraine- January to March are when the word frigid may seem to represent a not-too-unpleasant day, today in Kharkiv is 19 degrees Fahrenheit (-7.2 degrees Centigrade) with intermittent sun and a light breeze.
Walking outside of the hotel, where the area is marble, the coating of ice means enduring a terrifying series of balancing as each step creates a glide-path to the next. In some areas, there are footprints which have frozen into the ice- they become targets.
Four men and women, employees of the City of Kharkiv, who are aged late sixties or seventies are chipping away at ice covering a municipal plaza. Their outerwear does not from a distance look particularly insulating. Three months ago, a similar group, perhaps the same group, were coatless while sweeping and cleaning a fountain located on the same plaza. Across the street, another team, with a woman in her thirties along with men and women in their sixties and seventies, are shoveling ice and snow from sidewalks.
Who is missing? Young people- teenagers. In years past, particularly in the United States, young people used to earn extra money by cutting lawns in the summer, raking leaves in the fall, and shoveling snow from driveways in the winter.
There is a sole teenager in view. He is on his skateboard practicing jumps on the same plaza where the team of elders is toiling on behalf of their fellow citizens. A searing juxtaposition of how responsibilities are defined and shared.
Some restaurants and cafes open three months ago are now closed. Some closed are now open. McDonald’s and KFC (formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken) remain closed as they have since 24 February 2022.
A flower shop in August is in December a café- where the owner crafts the multi-layer Medovik (Ukraine Honey Cake). It’s name: Generation. Add “My” and the lyrics by Pete Townshend and vocals by Roger Daltrey as performed by The Who do add a generations connectivity. If craving an overdose of sweetness, a piece is the preferred method of delivery. Like desert crack.
Most retail stores remain open- and some are remodeling. Business is not, however, robust, and staffing levels are minimal. Consistent is a desire to be helpful- language barriers when they exist are to be overcome rather than provide an excuse to ignore a customer.
As the afternoon progresses towards evening, stripes of grayish clouds move slowly, deliberately across the sky. Stationary construction cranes. For some moments, the sunlight reflects upon a large Ferris Wheel which illuminates it, providing a vision, a reminder of normalcy- which will return to Kharkiv.
