We often think about justice, or more precisely, about its absence. Someone was paid more for the same work, a friend bought a cheaper but nicer bag, Petryk has more colored pencils, and the neighbor bought another car. All of this fades into the background when injustice manifests itself at the interstate level.
In order to travel abroad, an ordinary Ukrainian has to stand in line for a visa for hours, collect a pile of papers, and this still doesn't guarantee a positive outcome. Instead, entry into Ukraine for foreigners is free. The attempts of people's elected representatives to somehow remedy this have so far not yielded serious progress, so concerned citizens of our state decided to take matters into their own hands and consolidate as many people as possible in the struggle against borders. Nothing unites different individuals as much as various entertainments and live music, thought the MTO "Academy of Ukrainian Youth" (Lviv) and the Foundation of Spiritual Culture of the Borderland (Lublin), and for the sixth time they organized European Days of Good Neighborliness. This year such an event was held in our native Volyn. The event took place not far from Novovolynsk near the village of Krechiv and was called "Border 835". The goal of the event was to convince two nationalities that Poland and Ukraine are one family, and there should be no borders between them.
As Mykhailo Shelep, head of the Volyn Regional Youth Public Organization "Association of Young Reformers (AMoRe)" said: "Days of Good Neighborliness will be held for the sixth time, but in Volyn — for the first time… When we were preparing this event, there were doubts whether it would be successful. But the number of those present showed that the need for it still exists."
The road to the destination is not the best: we had to drive through steppes and ravines. But it was worth it!
Two stages were set up during the festival: one — Polish — on Kryliv Island, the other — on the territory of the village of Krechiv.
There were no barbed wires or towering fences. The fact that the border of two countries passes here was evidenced only by numerous border service officers. They carefully checked documents, and sometimes — the belongings of vacationers. The road to the location of "Border 835" was shown by the Western Bug, which separates Ukraine and Poland. For the duration of the celebration, a small bridge was built. Unfortunately, not everyone could use it. To get to the other side, a foreign passport and visa are required. But our fellow citizens had something to do on their own bank of the river as well. A real festive fair operated for those present. Anyone who wanted could try their hand at working on a weaving loom. Numerous embroidered shirts, Ukrainian symbols, jewelry, products made of wood and clay made one hold one's breath and hold on to one's wallet.
The fair was not the only thing. Nearby, a volleyball and football field were set up, further on — trade tents operated, with an assortment that included everything: sausages, cheeses, pastries, chickens, sweets, juices and waters. It was kvass and sweet water that had to quench thirst, because cold beer was prohibited.
On this day the border disappeared. Dozens of Poles walked nearby. They surprised us with their clothing and noisiness. And we did not lag behind them. Ukrainian folk amateur groups walked among us and entertained with songs, artists amused us with hastily drawn caricatures, children blew bubbles and charged us with a positive mood.
Performances by folk groups from both countries attracted the attention of vacationers. And also — the festival of sports culture and sports, knightly tournaments. The cross-border fair, integration events for children and youth — could not leave passersby indifferent.
As part of the program, a children's town operated. So adults could rest, leaving their children for interesting contests and amusements: juggling handkerchiefs, blowing large soap bubbles, drawing flags of Ukraine, Poland and the EU, making pictures from various grains, painting products made of salt dough and many other interesting things.
During the celebration, an ecumenical prayer was held with the participation of the clergy of Poland and Ukraine. At the end of the prayer, a solemn ceremony was held to present the statuette of the Chapter of Polish-Ukrainian Unity, which represents two flowers — a poppy and a cornflower.
The highlight of the cultural program was the showing of the collection "Echo" by the handmade embroidery workshop "Embroidered Shirt". And so "Border 835" greeted the artistic masterpieces of charming Lutsk women in embroidered shirts unique in style and ornament, each of which symbolized a certain historical era of the glorious city of Lutsk. The exclusive collection of embroidered clothing was presented by the author of the project and fashion designer — Oksana Tarasova. The clothing was presented by beauties from Maryna Zaniuk's modeling agency.
The heat and lack of shade did their work. But closer to evening all this was forgotten, because it was time for the concert. Loud music filled the area, as did wild dances — those present.
As part of the festival "Border 835", the band "Oratania" performed in the company of the band "Good Life", "Druha Rika" and Lutsk friends. Although the band has existed for six years, we met them for the first time. Their stage costumes were striking: imagine four fiery guys in a white shirt, tie and jacket, and then — in soft large slippers, multicolored knee-high socks and … bright underwear. On the festive stage the audience was also entertained by a team of improviser-musicians in the person of four Volyn guys "Ikebana". And the band "Zbih Obstavyn" (Lutsk), which has existed for one year, for the first time at the festival performed the song "City of Tourists" in Polish. It is also pleasant to see on stage the already familiar band "OUTCRY".
Warmed up by positive dances and songs, the audience waited for the appearance of the desired "Druha Rika". But we were informed that we needed to wait for vocalist Valerii Kharchyshyn, who had to change three vehicles to finally reach the festival. And so, standing near the stage, everyone's attention switched to the festive fireworks that resounded from the Polish side. Although we had to wait a little for the musicians, no one remained indifferent to the fiery songs of the band.
The celebration ended, and an uneasy road still lay ahead, but thoughts were not about a warm bed and sleep. The words of the organizers came to mind, that our border with Poland and with other countries is like the Berlin Wall, which was artificially erected for many years. But just as the desire of thousands of Germans tore it down, so we — Ukrainians — will be able to overcome any borders in our hearts, thoughts and on the territory of the independent state of Ukraine!
Grateful to the organizer of the trip Olha Polishchuk, who gave us the opportunity to sway on the waves of shared positivity and joyfully experience a moment of spiritual unity with the neighboring nation. We believe that relations between Ukraine and Poland will become even stronger thanks to such events.
"Free Way" dated 12.09.09
