On Ukraine
Brief thoughts, journalists to follow and a reading list
Today’s newsletter was going to be about trips vs. vacations, and a recent vacation in Miami. But now Ukraine and Russia are at war and I can’t bring myself to write about beach reads. Maybe next time.
Nathan and I went to Kyiv for Christmas in 2019. It was a winter wonderland. We drank mulled wine at the Christmas market, saw the Nutcracker, ate caviar and pierogies and latkes and drank too much horilka.
We walked through Maidan Square, where protests in 2013 led to the 2014 Ukrainian Revolution. Eventually, we made it to the National Museum of the Great Patriotic War, which is about Soviet involvement in WWII but had an exhibit about the Russian invasion of Crimea. During that invasion, 1.4 million people were displaced, 13,000 killed. The exhibit was chilling. It had videos of torture victims that were hard to watch, and had a section called “War is Going On” that warned about something like what we’re experiencing today.
(In case anyone has any doubt about Ukraine’s independence, here are some facts: “More than 90 percent of Ukrainians voted for independence in 1991, as the Soviet Union collapsed. Polls show the majority of its residents favor closer ties with Western nations and are skeptical of Putin and Russia.” Here’s another fact: “If President Vladimir Putin proceeds with a large-scale invasion, thousands will probably die. U.S. officials estimate a major assault could leave as many as 50,000 civilians dead or wounded.)
It seems that more people are paying attention to Ukraine than to other wars around the world. Maybe it’s easier to feel compassion when it’s Europe, when people look like you and it all feels very close. It goes without saying that we should feel the same fear and empathy for people facing war anywhere, but I’m still glad for the attention on Ukraine. It does feel very surreal to hear about missiles in Kyiv, a European city that pre-covid received millions of tourists a year.
For the past few years, I’ve felt like we’re moving backward in history, regressing to a worse version of the world. The Taliban is in power, Nazis speak freely in the U.S. and Europe, laws in Texas are taking away rights from women and trans kids. It’s hard not to feel complete despair.
I don’t have much to say and am not an expert on Ukraine by any means, but wanted to share some memories of a beautiful, welcoming place with incredible food and the buzzy energy (despite the gray winter weather) of somewhere free and newly hopeful. The world can’t let that be taken away.
Some journalists to follow who are reporting in or about Ukraine and Russia right now:
Ukrainian History in Chicago:
Did you know that Chicago has one of the largest Ukrainian populations in the U.S.?
At Ann’s Bakery (my favorite place to buy Eastern European sparkling waters) Ukrainian is the primary language spoken. Same across the street at Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen. If you haven’t been, visit the Ukrainian National Museum, where you can learn about the country’s history, Chicago’s role, and see a gorgeous embroidery exhibit.
Ukraine Reading list:
Food (I love this cookbook. She also has recipes on her website, and shares information about Ukraine’s culture and food on Instagram)
Children’s (I somehow forgot that this childhood favorite is based in Ukraine)
Something to remember:
One way to help:
Regular reading list:
The Crushing Loss of Hope In Ukraine
How to Fact Check the Atlantic (I always like when people outside journalism can see how good journalism works)
The Debonair Restaurateur who inspired the first Chinese-American cookbook
The Betrayal (If you read one thing about Afghanistan this year, I promise this is worth the length)
America’s next food craze is buried in Appalachia
Lighter things:
The Scott’s Cheap Flights deals this year have been insane
I’ve bought too much wine from this site this winter
We had a Valentine’s Day party and ordered 100 oysters from Island Creek Oysters. 100 was….too many, but we became experts at shucking and they were a hit at the party, and as Oysters Rockefeller the next day. Highly recommend getting some and trying for yourself.
Thanks for reading. Back to regularly scheduled travel programming next time, I hope. Because travel vs. vacations is a really important topic (lol), and I have lots of recommendations from a 10-day walk through France I want to share.
Stay safe. xx
- Rebecca