Notes from the first line of defense

(Continued from the previous issue)

Oleh NYCH, photographer:

“The Day’s Photo Exhibition is a landmark event for our Chechelnyk raion. Therefore, I would like to express my usual gratitude for this happy occasion, which I would still call such despite the tough times we are living in, to Den’s team and its editor-in-chief Larysa Ivshyna. Your efforts allow us to switch our minds off the crisis for a time. I think we should change our approach to this war a little. Any war is won first in the minds of people, and only then on the battlefield. A spiritually defeated man is no fighter. The word is more important than weapons. Den’s book series, which Pavlo Kalenych donated to our schools today, is called ‘Armor-Piercing Political Writing’ for a reason. This is our ammunition, our arsenal that we can use to win the war in the minds of people.

“To have a future, a nation or a community has to prioritize intelligence. Den’s team have their priorities right, enabling them to win wars by reinforcing the spirit of truth and freedom. To be more precise, they make every effort to prevent hot wars of cannon and machine guns from breaking out.

“Many woes that befell Ukraine recently had been discussed in Den         well in advance, as the newspaper sent warnings which required timely response. For example, Den predicted all risks likely to confront the nation should it choose the radical path back in the fall of 2013, long before the subsequent tragic events. Unfortunately, the professional level of our politicians is inferior to that of Den’s journalists...

“Therefore, I wish Den to be read by our decision-makers, so that they listen to what the newspaper has to say.”

Mykhailo FEDCHYSHYN, director of  “Ukraine-O” agribusiness, village of Zhabokrychka, Chechelnyk raion:

“I have been to Den’s photo exhibitions before. Every visit strengthened my conviction that this country was your life. Some photos make one wonder: is it really Ukraine? You have done very well. You are making good an important shortage experienced by our people now. Even as we agonize amid many troublesome issues we are facing now, you know how to become an island of safety where one can catch one’s breath and regain strength before going back into the fight.

“From the last photo exhibition, I recall work Life Goes On by our countryman Borys Korpusenko. It is a humorous take on ex-president Leonid Kuchma...

“From this exhibition, I will remember photo created by another countryman Oleh Nych, which is called The Village of Bily Kamin. You came to us through this village when driving here from Kyiv. It has bad roads, but very nice people. This photo reveals the depth of life here in our land. Old grandfather and grandmother, who have apparently lived their entire lives here, still hope for the future.”

Kateryna PIDFIHURNA, senior librarian of Chechelnyk Raion Library:

“People are always happy with your photo exhibition. Many visitors come and see photos. Somehow, your selection always includes many photos on local subjects, which we feel strongly about.

“Some moments which you have captured are so scary that they make people weep... When looking at that series of Euromaidan photos, I even pulled out my handkerchief, because I could not stand it.

“Clearly, this photo exhibition has been designed by specialists. The photos are high-quality and vivid, capturing just those moments that people enjoy. Someone said from the stage when opening the exhibition, and I agree with him: ‘People cannot just worry now, they must have something soothing as well.’

“I think that many of our people will come to see your photo exhibition here. We, who have already seen it, will spread the word. For instance, I live in a five-story apartment block and will bring all my neighbors here.”

Nastia, a schoolgirl from Chechelnyk School:

“I visited Den’s photo exhibition for the first time when I was eight years old. It was the first visit of your newspaper to Chechelnyk. I have visited every single of your photo exhibitions since, and found something new in the photos on display each time. Taken together, your photos are a real fountain of delights. I see that the photo exhibition is improving by the year.

“Frankly speaking, we do not have many opportunities to get involved in cultural projects in our small town. Therefore, we are especially grateful to Den for the opportunity to engage in self-improvement, develop further, learn more about Ukraine.”

Serhii SHEPITKO, head of Chechelnyk Raion Council:

“One should come with one’s friend to Den’s photo exhibition. People like it very much, come here with children, friends, and family. My brother who lives in the city of Kotovsk, Odesa region, visits Den’s photo exhibition annually. He called this year and asked: ‘When will it be held and how long will it last?’ I told him: ‘It is all right, it will be here for two weeks. You are welcome.’ He replied with another question: ‘Will they sell a photo?’ ‘Are you serious?’ I asked, ‘It is an exhibition after all!’ You will definitely have a lot of visitors. Moreover, the local radio is advertising it all the time, saying that the photo exhibition is on and admission is free... My view is we have chosen the best location for it of those available in Chechelnyk.”

Serhii PUSTOVY, head of Chechelnyk Raion Administration:

“It is great to have Den’s photo exhibition become a good tradition of our Chechelnyk raion, so that Den’s activity map has our small Chechelnyk on it along with Lviv, Lutsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv. Our appearance on that map has come through efforts of       Den’s editor-in-chief and Vinnytsia regional councilor, director of Olhopil agribusiness Pavlo Kalenych. We are very grateful for it.”