As part of the Side by Side: United Communities project, the Berezivska community in Zhytomyr Oblast organized a poetry challenge called "Happy Holidays, Soldier!" for participants from the Andriivska community in Donetsk Oblast.
The online meeting brought together people from different parts of the country with a shared sense of gratitude to our defenders.
The war has changed each of us. But even in the most difficult moments, Ukrainians continue to create. History knows many cases when poetry was born in trenches, in dugouts, on the front lines — where every line is felt more strongly than ever. Our soldiers write poems about their comrades, about home, about love, about faith in victory. We write too, here in the rear, because words are also weapons — weapons of memory, gratitude, and support.
The poetry challenge was not just a creative event. It was a way to say "thank you" once again, a way to preserve history with our voices, a way to remind the soldiers once again: we are with you, we are close, we are side by side.
The event itself began with important words about the strength and significance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The fallen heroes were honored with a minute of silence.
A video of poetry readings recited by employees of cultural institutions in the Berezivska community was presented at the poetry challenge. It included a variety of poems — sincere, heartfelt, filled with light and pain at the same time. Some of these poems were written by local residents of the Berezivska community, and among the works there is also poetry created directly in the trenches.
Each line expressed parental concerns, maternal prayers, gratitude to soldiers, love for Ukraine, and unshakable faith in victory. Because poetry born in times of war is not just words. It is the voice of the heart, it is memory, it is a way to be close to those who defend us today.
The challenge became a bridge between communities, uniting people around a common cause — deep respect for our defenders and a sincere desire to support them with words.
Based on materials from the Berezivka Village Council