Within the early hours of Thursday, February 24th President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.
Within nine days, over a million of Ukrainian refugees have fled their homeland to seek asylum in neighboring countries, mostly women and children while men 18-60 years of age have stayed behind under law that they must fight and defend their country, regardless of previous military experience and occupation. It has been estimated that over 2,000 citizens have died since last week’s invasion.
As a first generation Polish-American citizen, I am enraged, shocked, speechless and heartbroken over the last several days. While I never lived through WWII or witnessed Communism within my beloved homeland country, I am reminded of what happened then when I watch the current atrocities happening to our neighboring country.
Poland and Ukraine share a long and deep history together. Since the 11th century, both countries have supported, fought and worked together through different commonwealths. After the fall of communism, Poland and Ukraine became fully independent and could once again decide on policies of their own. As neighboring countries, we have witnessed the rise and fall of dictatorship and since then strived to create meaningful and independent diplomacy.
As an artist, I’m constantly driven and dedicated to my work. In the last several years with social media platforms dominating each and every artistic industry, I know I speak for many when I say that I’m constantly on the go, almost to the point of mental exhaustion, by being on the lookout for new content trends, staying up to date on upcoming motion films and creative projects, and seeking further collaborations day-to-day. This doesn't even include the countless hours I spend staying connected with other artists and seeking further opportunities. We live more than ever in an extremely fast paced world and regardless of what you do, social media has come to dominate our very existence.
As of last week, fashion shows in Paris and Milan began. Blockbuster film premieres began to take place in New York and Miami to name a few venues. The 28th SAG Awards was presented in Santa Monica this past Sunday. Celebrities wearing new designer pieces while supporting other artists’ work was heavily discussed within magazines and began to surface on Instagram, Tok Tok and Twitter. All the while, hundreds upon hundreds of innocent civilians were slaughtered after months of speculation (facts rather) that Putin would invade Ukraine - for purposes yet still unknown.
As I briefly watched stories of fashion shows, film and television award ceremonies, stars being interviewed and applauded for their most recent work, I found myself cringing - and to be totally honest, I still am. While notable stars showed their support for Ukraine during their presentations, interviews and acceptance speeches, I still found myself wondering: is this really all anyone can say or do right now? Is it enough? What else can we do while the world sits and waits for the next catastrophic event to unfold?
I can understand to a certain extent. It feel’s like the entire world is waiting to see what happens next. Everyone is holding their breath. When looking at neighboring countries aside from my own, Lithuania, Moldova, Slovakia and more, I see how fear has instituted thoughts of a WWIII. Such speculations have been building up for years now, considering the already high tensions the United States alone has had with Russia, China and North Korea.
Giancarlo Giammetti, former business and life partner of Valentino Garavani, wrote on Instagram: “The illogical compatibility between fashion shows and the Ukraine situation is something that has to be addressed.” And indeed it must. It irritates me when I look at how little attention Ukraine is receiving from creative industries. I do not understand it. After years of war I am livid that so little is talked about and done by solidified artists with power. It’s beyond unfair - it’s not right and shameful. While the show must go on and business is business, as artists it is our duty to speak out against hate or human crimes and to help those in need.
It’s times like these when I think about my great-grandparents and grandparents, and what life was like during a worldly state of disaster and despair. My great-grandparents on my mother’s side fought for the Polish Resistance and for Jews freedoms during WWII, with my great-grandfather left only to survive. I often wonder what their reactions would be towards everything that’s unfolded. When I call my Babcia every Sunday morning, who’s tongue is sharper than anyone else’s I know, she recently has commented that the post-Covid pandemic climate alone has only made people immature. I know I speak for many Polish citizens when I say that our hearts are absolutely devastated by atrocities of the last few days and the fear of being invaded by clearly someone who shouldn’t be in power, has returned in full swing. The thought of not returning to my homeland country that has witnessed nothing but terror and war in the last few hundred years despite its most serene, calm and beautiful landscapes completely shatters my heart. But I am comforted knowing that thousands of Polish men and women would fight to the death should another invasion, regardless by satantic Putin or anyone else, occurs.
I pray for peace and justice to finally take its place once and for all. There is a place in our hearts that will never be filled... And we will wait and wait in that space.
-Natalia Ortonowska ©