Until February 24, the Ukrainian towns of Bucha and Irpin were known for their cozy and peaceful life. This area was attractive for family life. Modern houses were built here surrounded by tall coniferous trees, the infrastructure was oriented to family life (schools, kindergartens, creative studios, groups for leisure). A significant number of residents of Buchf and Irpin had jobs in Kyiv. For many, Kyiv was a place for career, self-realization and earning money. Right here in the suburbs of Kyiv, many ambitious Ukrainians developed private territories for their families. Conditionally, it is possible to compare Ukrainian pre-war Irpin and Bucha with the Danish town of Virum.
After a full-scale attack on Ukraine, these towns were under russian occupation. After the Ukrainian army destroyed the russian army in this area and freed Bucha and Irpin from the occupiers, the world was shocked by the brutality of the occupiers to the civilian population. Journalists very caryfully sorted the photos and decided which photos could be published so as not to shock the readers. But even such media approaches gave the world an idea of torture and abuse. The actions of the occupiers were called the Buchan Massacre.
Most of my friends who lived here and survived are now in Europe and say that they will never return: first of all, because everything here will remind of death and violence. People do not want to tell their story and would rather forget everything that happened here. Now, 7 months after the start of full-scale war, I walk the streets of Buchi and Irpinja and notice small, but important signs of recovery. The towns are still damaged, the destruction is significant.
But at the same time, life continues on the streets. I see signs of strong Ukrainian vitality. A projectile hit the house and part of it is destroyed. And already on the other side of the same building, people live in apartments, laundry is drying on the balcony, the air conditioner is working (most likely, in heating mode). The wall of the coffee shop has bullet and shrapnel marks, but it is now open and you can buy coffee. The owner of the coffee shop says that he loves his job, coffee and will work because his family needs money and the local community needs a sense of stability. In some houses, repair work is underway: you can hear how a drill and other construction tools are working. There are many women and children on the streets again.
But the emotional atmosphere is tense. I hope that this pain can one day become less and Bucha and Irpin can live happily again. I don’t know if this is possible, my hope that it is possible.
Text, photo by Alla Shorinа