Ukrainian Dream: Thought Leaders on a Positive Vision for the Country

What should a Ukraine of the future look like? The answers differ, but they share much in common.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. For Ukrainian thought leaders, a positive vision for the country’s future is about more than economic prosperity or political stability. Their visions embrace freedom, dignity, cultural identity, responsibility, human connection, and the ability to create a society capable of determining its own future. Jamala: A peaceful and flourishing Ukraine Jamala is a singer, People’s Artist of Ukraine, and winner of numerous music competitions, including the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest: “The Ukrainian dream is to preserve a peaceful country from Mariupol to Lviv, from Simferopol to Chernihiv. A state with a language and culture cherished by millions of Ukrainians. “I am confident that in ten years, we will rebuild the country after the war. As history teaches us, spring follows every war. Our country will flourish. We will be successful economically, politically and culturally. And the wounds Russia is inflicting today will become scars – reminders of how they tried to destroy us, but we did not give up. We will remember both 10 and 50 years from now.” Vladyslav Troitskyi: Freedom and new ideas Vladyslav Troitskyi is founder of the Dakh Center for Contemporary Art; actor, director, producer, scenographer and artistic director; creator of DakhaBrakha, DakhDaughters, NovaOpera and TseSho; and founder and president of the GogolFest contemporary art festival. Other Topics of Interest British Journalist: In Ukraine, the Nation, Not Its Leaders, Drives History British journalist and commentator Peter Dickinson argues that Ukraine’s historical development is unique because its driving force has been the people themselves rather than political leaders, setting the country apart from much of Europe. “Ukraine today is one of the most democratic countries. Yes, of course, our democracy is somewhat vulgar. But, in reality, there is much more freedom in Ukraine today than elsewhere. And this freedom carries the spirit of the Zaporizhian Sich [a proto-state of Zaporozhian Cossacks that existed between the 16th to 18th centuries]. “The main thing we have is fertile land, which should not be perceived in a utilitarian sense, but rather as a place where new ideas can be born in an extremely turbulent world that is also very confused right now. I travel a lot and see this confusion in America and Europe... everywhere. “How often do you meet a real person? Or are you meeting an avatar? It does not matter whether it is online or offline. The simulacra and masks people put on because they are afraid to look inside themselves experience total loneliness and helplessness. We need to make a spiritual and emotional effort, to work hard in order to see and recognize another person, to abandon, at least for a moment, the avatars that have practically consumed us. “Saving those who are drowning is the responsibility of those who are drowning themselves. If we begin to create a space of healthy cooperation, partnership and creation, then we have enormous chances to withstand the challenges and continue developing without stopping.” Painting by Hanna Kryvolap from the “Ribbons” series. (Photo courtesy of Hanna Kryvolap) Larysa Denysenko: A country of strong communities and people Larysa Denysenko is a writer, winner of the Koronatsiya Slova literary competition and other literary contests, human rights advocate, and public activist. “We are fighting for ourselves: for people who are freedom-loving, proud, independent, compassionate, humorous, creative, empathetic, innovative, passionate and courageous. People who simultaneously stand up to a treacherous enemy and rebuild what has been destroyed. “We can definitely become a European center for the study of totalitarianism. Creative industries, culture, information, technology, security, humanitarian law, ecology and philosophy – these are areas in which we can teach people from around the world. “We are a strong state of strong communities and strong people who make difficult decisions, take responsibility for their choices and will not allow any dictator onto their land. “Where are you from? We are from UA. And the whole world will know what that means.” Mykola Kuznietsov: Reviving the concept of honor Mykola Kuznietsov is a corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, doctor of technical sciences, head of a department at the V. M. Glushkov Institute of Cybernetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and professor at the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. “The national idea today, however it may sound, is first and foremost hatred of the ‘rusnya’ and revenge on the aggressor for the lives of the best Ukrainians lost. The national idea is victory and remembrance of all the atrocities committed in Ukraine during this terrible time of war. The national idea today is also hatred not only of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin personally, but of everything Russian, because the majority of Russians turn off their brains and support the aggression. “But how will this idea transform in the postwar period? As a mathematician, I would answer: the more general a theorem is, the less meaningful it is, the fewer meanings it contains. The Ukrainian idea is a very broad concept, and I do not want to list trivial things about the happiness and prosperity of Ukrainians. An idea cannot be formulated in a single statement. Everyone has their own understanding. For me, it is very important that the concept of honor be revived; that people, especially those who hold power and govern people and the state, should be able to look calmly at themselves in the mirror.” Svitlana Roiz: A country guided by values Svitlana Roiz is a psychologist and public activist. “I dream that after the war we will preserve the feeling of connection and of being one family. “That we will retain a sense of responsibility for one another. “That in a peaceful country we will know exactly how precious freedom is. “That we will all be guided by values. And that these will not simply be words – that everyone’s actions will grow from them. “I dream of a country where children can grow up safely, with respect and love, so that psychologists have less work, perhaps only for prevention and questions of development; so that we rejoice in constructive projects and in one another’s successes and rejoice in seeing the country flourish. “I dream that other countries will look at us with admiration – inspired not only by our courage and strength, but also by our growth, flourishing and achievements in every possible field. “I dream and believe that, finally, we ourselves will be proud of ourselves, our language and our history.” Shared values Together, these five voices create a multifaceted picture of Ukraine’s possible future: a country where freedom and responsibility coexist, culture and new ideas flourish, communities and individuals are strong, and people have the confidence to shape their own future. The Ukrainian dream has no single formula. It is made up of many individual dreams – of peace, dignity, freedom, safe childhoods, culture, development and the opportunity to build a country Ukrainians can be proud of. Quotes from Myroslava Makarevych’s book “Positive Scenarios for Ukraine’s Development: Reflections of Contemporaries.” Published with the author’s permission