“Warmth of hearts and hugs through Den’s postcards”

The initiative “Postcard to the front” appeared in the editorial office spontaneously. About two weeks ago journalists of Den/The Day gathered for the first time to write their wishes and words of gratitude to the soldiers not on the pages of the newspaper (which is brought to the block posts and dugouts at the frontline), but on postcards. In such a way we were trying to strengthen the mutual connection which has been established between the newspaper and the servicemen in the east, and add more personal format to it. Specifically for the action we published the postcards that are already known to the readers of Den/The Day and which can be bought on our website and quite new ones, specially created by our artist Anna Havryliuk. Two days later the initiative was joined by our readers and partners: hundreds of people, in whole families, came to the hall of the capital movie theater “Kyiv” to buy postcards and write their wishes to the servicemen, supporting them morally and materially. Many readers and partners appealed to us with a desire to continue the initiative. Some of them even expressed their willingness to organizers similar events in the regions. Last Friday we received an invitation from the capital’s Ruthenian club “Cult RA.” People came here with a special purpose to sign postcards to servicemen. Ordinary visitors of this place also paid attention to Den’s stand.

“I think such actions are very important,” says Kyivite Anna Mykhalchenko, “When I started to write, I began to think, ‘What our servicemen want the most?’ You are not good at making wishes when you imagine their difficult conditions. It is cold and frightening there. I would like them to return as soon as possible safe and sound and with the victory. I wrote that we are hugging them sincerely. What else can we do to them? Little: only our warmth, words of love and support, but I think this is not less important than the material aid.”

Interestingly, among the visitors of Ruthenian club “Cult RA” we met organizers of an analogical event who are also planning to send postcards to the servicemen. Apparently this idea is in the air. “Recently my friends, a duo of street artists ‘Interesting Fairytales,’ and I have accomplished a project on creation of patriotic frescoes on facades of buildings in Kyiv,” says the organizer of art actions Oleh Sosnov, “They can be seen in 4 Striletska Street and 38 Velyka Zhytomyrska Street. The frescos depict the current situation in the country, like it is seen by the artists. Both pictures show Saint George who is killing a dragon, the aggressor that is trying to capture our land.” When the work was over, the artists wanted to share it with as many Ukrainians as possible, in particular, with those who are defending our state in the east now. So, they decided to print postcards with the frescoes and send them to our warriors. At the moment the realization of the project is underway. “I think everyone today must do his best to help the front,” Oleh explains, “We want very much to unite our efforts with the newspaper Den, we hope for fruitful cooperation.” After exchanging contacts Oleh together with his companion Ruslana Khazipova, actress of DAKh Theater signed several postcards. “I  wrote to our servicemen that we all remember about them, sincerely thank them, and are trying to build a new country,” says Ruslana, “Your action is very important. It’s like an impulse that comes from the bottom of one’s heart.”

All the money raised during the events will be used for the needs of the servicemen. The next action will take place today, November 20, at 18:00 and last till 20:30 in the premises of conference hall of insurance company Nova at the address: 7V (third floor), Akademika Tupoleva Street, Kyiv.