On the forecourt of the church, place Félix Poulat in Grenoble, more than 80 people are gathered, this August 24, with Ukrainian flags, some dressed in yellow and blue. On this national holiday, they are celebrating Ukraine’s independence from the USSR in 1991. An important symbolic moment, especially since it has been six months to the day that the country is at war with Russia.
A large majority of Ukrainians
Most of those gathered are Ukrainians, settled for a long time or refugees since the war. The atmosphere at the start of the rally was rather calm, the Ukrainians listening to their compatriots via the telephone held by the president of the Mriya Ukraine association in front of the microphone. “We have a lot of Ukrainians who are in border towns, who are in occupied territories, explains Viktoriia Michniewicz. They are waiting because we were told that today the Russians could make a provocation against Ukraine. We follow what is happening in Zaporijia, with its nuclear power plant. Fingers crossed hoping that the Russians are smart enough not to go into a nuclear war.“
Meet and recognize each other
But despite everything, the smiles are there, on the faces of the refugees. “It’s a bit like this double feeling: being here brings us together, it gives us joy. But, on the other hand, that doesn’t lessen our concern, she nuances. I am very happy that there are so many people, to make themselves known. Ukrainians see that they are not alone.“
“TTogether we can work miracles”a Ukrainian
At the heart of the gathering, a Ukrainian woman sings at the top of her lungs. “In this song, the lyrics say that our Ukraine is sad today. What can we do ? We can help him and all together, we can work miracles. And he really sings with enthusiasm, with this feeling of glory. It helps a lot.“
Music and drawings
Art makes it possible to exteriorize, emphasizes Viktoriia Michniewicz: “People seek to remove this misfortune from within. There are a lot of people here who do drawings, because it lets out a bit of this dark feeling that they keep inside, this anguish, the impossibility of sleeping at night.“
– Camille Granjard
Later during the rally, George, deputy secretary of Mriya Ukraine, passes the Marseillaise: “We thank our French friends who support us very strongly. Thanks a lot. Long live France. Glory to Ukraine.”