REPORTING. “You only live once, it’s time to enjoy each day”: in Ukraine, young people are thirsty for carefreeness

Despite the almost daily bombings and alerts in Ukraine, some young people do not plan to give up their freedom. Report in a very popular location in the Ukrainian capital.

The war is far from over. The Air Force announced again on Wednesday May 8 that it had shot down dozens of missiles and drones launched by Russia during the night, as part of a barrage targeting energy installations. However, young people try to continue living as best they can, and find themselves, for example, at the Kyiv Food Market, the temple of street food in the capital.

In these ultra-modern halls, opened in 2019, we find around thirty bars and restaurants, where Ania, 22, is drinking a glass of white wine with a friend. She is a regular at this place, where she comes to enjoy the food and its atmosphere, despite the war, always in the background.

“I always feel like the place might be bombed.”

Ania, 22 years old

at franceinfo

“We can partially forgetaccording to her, but when the sirens sound for alerts, I don’t necessarily feel safe”. A feeling which will not, however, prevent him from enjoying his evening, “because if it’s not today, when will it be?”she asks. You only live once, it’s time to enjoy each day !”

Learn to live with the threat

Nastia, her friend, has a serious face. “Life goes on, but the war has transformed us all, she regrets. It’s cool to be there, but you can’t completely stop thinking about what’s going on around you, and at the front.”she explains, especially since“we all have someone close to us at the front”, so “we learn to live with that”.

Nazar is 19 years old. This young chef is enjoying an evening off with a few friends. Well, so to speak. “I think it’s actually impossible to relax.”recognizes the young man, who is searching for words. “How can I explain that… The stories of curfew, the alerts, all that puts pressure on me.”

As for mobilization, at 25 now, instead of 27, “it’s a nightmare, confides Nazar. They mobilize by force”. “If everything was done in a more flexible way, it would be fine, but the way it’s happening now, taking the guys away by force, it’s not possible.” In kyiv, all festive events, concerts, festivals collect donations to support the army on the front.