Invasion day +82 As we re-launch the blog with our joint journey towards helping more Ukrainians build hope for their future, we praise the Kalush Orchestra of Ukraine for inspiring unity for peace at the Eurovisions with their song 'Stefania';
'I still want to hear your native word
She rocked me, gave me a rhythm And, probably, the strength of will will not be taken away from me,
because she gave..'
And how Ukraine has given, a Stefania, a mother for us all, providing the milk of freedom, truth and justice. The strength of will will not be taken from you. Because you gave...
So Hogwards go to Ihor Didenchuk, Ivan Klimenko, Oleh Psiuk, Tymofii Muzychuk and Vitalii Duzhyk. The Kalush Orchestra. We salute you all for the hope you have brought. The song is certainly mightier than the sword.
We are grateful to npr for the use of this image.
Ukraine's 439 points received from the televote in the final are the most televoting points received in the contest's history and the orchestra's plea for the defenders of Mariupol at the Azovstal Steel Works appears to have resonated. The brave, appallingly injured survivors emerged to some form of safety above ground in a prisoner exchange with the Russians. In scenes reminiscent of the depiction in film of the defence of Arnhem in 1944, the incredible survival of the last defenders of the city comes to an end to be etched into the bloody narrative of Ukraine's awe-inspiring defence of democracy.
Meanwhile Ukraine holds its own in the east and even counter-attacks right up to the Russian border. The Russian army is falling apart according to front line reports and all the more dangerous for that as in a beast cornered. Putin is now trying to desperately direct the front line battle, strategic direction abandoned as the beast flies out wildly, leaving his nation to wonder what in hell is going on. They may well soon find out.
Europe continues to unite and Turkey, somewhat sitting on the fence and selling arms one way and support to oligarchs in another, risks its own isolation if it abandons the common cause of democracy, a dangerous game to play. No-one wants to be seen to have backed a loser and Russia cannot win this war. No-one wins a war. We are all losers and hints of triumphalism as in the BBC yesterday are misplaced. Putin must be downed but Russia as a 'failed state' is unthinkable. A failed state with a nuclear arsenal is a very frightening vision.
Peace, justice, truth these three, but the greatest of these right now is peace.
Today's Letters:
From Hoggy
Dear wonderful supporters of Ukraine,
'Please write and write again for Ukraine!'
Please excuse this circular style note to you all but we are now many, the supporters and writers of the 'Hoggy the Yimp' Blog for Peace in Ukraine!
Although one or two of you have not yet written pieces in the blog you have all expressed your support in one way or another for which we and our Ukrainians are immensely grateful and I apologise to all those I may have missed, please do send this on to any you know if you feel able. Over fifty of us have written now and some are regular contributors.
I was forced to break the daily continuity due to the increasingly heavy pressures of a work tour to the Police Academy in Cambodia but I am now back in the UK and Hoggy rises again with a powerful piece two days ago on the 'Killing Fields of Kampuchea', a reminder in many ways for the situation in Ukraine if the war is not ended soon.
Although optimism abounds, this war is far from over and never will be whilst Putin remains in power as a continual threat to world peace and stability.
The blog focuses its position on justice, freedom, truth and peace. It is deliberately partisan in its denouncement of Putin himself as the arch criminal of an illegal and barbaric war but seeks to support transparency in Russia: it does not seek to attack the Russian people who we also see as victims of Putin's evil. The principle intent is a search for peace which we see as only possible by Ukraine successfully defending its nationhood and defending democracy for us all. A strong liberal arts thread naturally emerged within the blog which we are happy to sustain as creative writers.
We have made the decision to reproduce the wonderful submissions being made as a book at the end of the initial period of conflict. A daily record in all our words of what went on. Both in real time and retrospectively after more clinical analysis.
We have already published the fundraiser 'Sunflowers for Ukraine 1' in a 400 copy run of which there are just 160 left. If you feel you can distribute ten copies against donation (we hope for a minimum of £10 from each one) please can you mail me and I will send or deliver them to you if you provide an address? Thank you all who have so far 'sold' copies, you are simply great!
We have already distributed £750 from the funds so far raised to support eleven Ukrainians, four of whom have now arrived safely here in North Yorkshire through the wonderful efforts of Oksana and her partner. Thank you all for making this happen.
We are hoping to have a launch event for 'Sunflowers' soon in Sunflower Scarborough and will circulate details once confirmed.
Please will you write for the cause?
Comments, articles, illuminations, insights, biographies, historical pieces, testimonies, diaries, accounts....illustrations, even 'cartoons' (thanks SUFI our resident cartoonist,) nominations for 'Hogswards' (see the blog) whatever you feel able to express: this is an opportunity to have your words published in support of peace, justice, freedom, truth...shorter articles (as in 'letter length') preferred but we can always edit.
All monies raised from the book will of course go to support the displaced and suffering in Ukraine. If we can again raise enough sponsorship for production as we did for Sunflowers and with great gratitude to all the sponsors, then all the funds can go to this cause. There will be a generation of need that will follow this war.
Thank you all and please send all submissions in letter form as that is the style of the blog (starting 'Dear Hoggy') to: davidlewis@brynstowe.co.uk, the publishers, or direct to Hoggy if preferred to hoggytheyimp@gmail.com.
The need for protection for our frontline correspondents, of whom there are several, has reduced considerably with Ukrainian battlefield successes but we are still being careful so if you wish to use pseudonyms within the piece that is fine but please can you indicate that is so.
Thank you all, wonderful supporters of peace in Ukraine. We look forward to hearing from you again soon. Your warmth for the cause is moving and inspiring.
Hoggy
Comments