Olga and Sasha are two Ukrainian sisters. The first is 35 years old and is a wine merchant in Paris, where she has lived for seven years. The second, aged 33, lives in kyiv with her parents and grandmother. The two sisters have accepted, since the beginning of the conflict, to keep their logbook to M. In this Christmas week, it is harder for them to be separated and their thoughts go above all to the victims, to the soldiers of their country and to President Zelensky, who is visiting the United States.
Tuesday, December 20
Olga: In recent weeks, Yanis [le compagnon d’Olga] is ill, we follow appointments with the doctors. My three-month-old sinusitis won’t let go either ! My cell phone suggests memories: photos and videos from previous years. I see Sasha and I next to the beautiful fir tree in Hagia Sophia Square in Kyiv [Kiev, en ukrainien], smiling and happy. The war has changed our whole life. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko posted this message on his channel on Telegram: “Ukrainian children have the right to have a party!” We decided to light the tree. » I absolutely agree, it symbolizes the spirit of Ukrainians.
Today, our president is in Bakhmout. He comes to the front to support his army, where, at any time, he can be the target of rachists [contraction de « russes » et de « fascistes »]. Nothing to do with the Russian president who never went to the front. I find him so cowardly, I can’t see him anymore, he disgusts me.
Sasha: I’m counting the days. Until what and when, I have no idea. I put small points in the calendar: the New Year, the arrival of spring… Since the attack yesterday, I have no electricity, I go hunting in the neighborhood to find some and work. I go to Viktor’s cafe and office [son ancien compagnon]. He is lucky, he has everything: electricity, water, Wi-Fi. Ah, no, no heating. Zelensky is in Bakhmout. Tell me what more can he do? The 300e day of war, he spends it on the front line with the fighters and heroes of our time, he inspires them, supports them, declares our gratitude to them all, Ukrainians. The soldiers presented him with a flag which they all signed. For days, in the media, rumors evoke his departure to the United States. I have no doubt that he will go there.
Wednesday, December 21
Olga: Zelensky is on his way to Washington. I look forward to his speech. Tonight I’m rehearsing for the Christmas concert. After the rehearsal, we’ll have a drink. I find myself at the table with two girlfriends of Polish origin. We discuss our Polish and Ukrainian Christmas menus. Girls talk about pierogi – these ravioli stuffed with mashed potatoes, dry white cheese, meat. It’s a 16th century dish.e century, typical of the Republic of Two Nations, which included Poland, much of Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus and western Russia [Olga et Sasha ont choisi de ne pas mettre de majuscule à « poutine », « russe » et « russie »].
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