Therapeutic Power of Art in The War
“Good evening, we are from Ukraine … Maybe it is a cliché, but I have the right to say hello in this way!!! – says Yevhenii Shcherbyna, who considers himself as a freelance artist. – I am a soldier in peacetime and wartime …
Since childhood, I like to draw, write poetry, create books and sketchbooks, play and write music as much as my intellect allows. I drew the first sticker on a smartphone in 2018, and it based on Yuri Morozov`s works, namely the universe “World of Nazai”. Nowadays it is very difficult for me to draw, but I keep drawing because it is the only thing that can relieve me of stress and anxiety, even under the sounds of explosions. Knowing, that my children are far from the epicenter of hostilities, I am more or less relaxed in my statements and actions, because the only thing that worries me now is the peaceful sky over the heads of my relatives. “
Yevhenii considers the question of the role of Russian culture in the Russian-Ukrainian war inappropriate: “Once I visited the Hermitage. There are collected works of various artists there, who, in my opinion, had no idea that the “brotherly” people could attack a peaceful country that just wanted to live and be free …”
Yevhenii tells us: “In order to preserve our culture, we should read and remember the words of our artists, who warned us previously in their works that these people are not like us: they have no humanity, and they do not understand how it is possible to live peacefully and have prosperity and harmony in the house, because they only see destruction, garbage and poverty. We need to inform the world that in our country there are the most talented artists, who create masterpieces of literature, painting, sculpture, etc., and the «bright heads» of our scientists give the world unique discoveries.
Once, probably a long time ago, in 2004, a woman told me that one day Ukraine would become famous all over the world, but I didn`t think it would happen this way. We were able to endure the first days of the bombing, which was supposed to demoralize our people, but it did unite them instead. We have become like a stone, like one unshakable wall against slavery and bondage. Of course, we were ready for the war, because we have been fighting for 8 years (comment of someone who experienced it personally). After the victory we will take leading positions in all spheres of art, literature and sports, because after this experience our people will create, pouring their emotions and losses in poetry, drawings and songs, revealing their own soul, suffering and thoughts. Since the whole civilized world is contemplating Ukraine and Ukrainian people, who are creating, fighting for freedom, truth, for themselves … “
Interviewed by Maryna Streltsova