“I am reviving what the Russians wanted to destroy.” How 15-year-old Elizaveta promotes ancient culture in a de-occupied community
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Yelyzaveta Prykhodko is a 10th grade student at a school in the city of Putivl.
Despite her young age – 15 years old – the girl has already managed to do a lot: write a scientific paper for the Small Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, create her own NGO and activate the youth around her for good causes.
Liza talks about her experience studying ancient ethnos, working on grant projects and developing her own community in a special project of the UP “Generation of Victory” dedicated to children from the de-occupied territories.
The project was initiated by the GoGlobal educational foundation, which generates, pilots and scales projects for teachers, schoolchildren and young people.
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Putivl is an ancient town near Sumy. Its history begins with the IX-X centuries. Local residents are proud of the fact that this place is mentioned even in the “Word about Igor’s Regiment”.
Putivl welcomes you with silence, church domes and clean air.
“I adore our city – there are so many historical buildings here, and I would like tourists to come here after our Victory, because we definitely have a lot to see.” – says Elizaveta Prykhodko.
Liza studies at school, and also studies the culture of the Horyuns (ethnos, an autochthonous settlement in the territory of the Putivl district), writes works for the National Academy of Arts, dances, sings, and recently created her own NGO.
She talks about her many hobbies easily and inspiredly, as if they are just a part of her childhood. Also, unfortunately, the Russian occupation became a part of her childhood.
| Elizaveta Prykhodko. Photo: Sasha Maslov |
Life under occupation
Putivl is located very close to the border with the enemy, so the city was under occupation from the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
The townspeople say that the occupiers did not pay attention to the local population at all, randomly fired at the houses of the villagers and behaved like marauders.
“The occupation lasted about a month– remembers Lisa, – during this period, I and my loved ones felt terrible: it was very scary, we did not understand what was happening. We were blocked from entering and leaving the city, it was impossible to leave anywhere.
For example, due to my health, I had to go to the regional center, but I couldn’t get there because they didn’t let anyone out. The townspeople lacked products, food, supermarket shelves were empty, businesses suspended their work… terrible times.”
After the arrival of the ZSU and the deoccupation, life in the city resumed, and Elizaveta decided to create her own public organization.
Public activity
“The thought about the NGO came at the beginning of the summer: I wanted to gather active young people around me. My godfather helped create the organization, and now our team is made up of young people from different communities. I wanted to create an organization, because in our city there is no body through which young people can show themselves. At the same time, we really wanted it!” – the girl remembers.
Now, within the framework of the NGO, in partnership with other public organizations, schoolchildren are preparing a large-scale project. This will be a training course where young men and women can learn how to write applications for grants, project management and crowdfunding.
“Krus is expected for 1,500 people from 51 communities of the Sumy region, and I can’t wait for the launch: I want to go through it myself!” – adds Elizaveta.
Fascination with antiquity
“I have long been studying the ancient ethnic group called the Horyuns: the people live on the territory of the Sumy region. In addition to their speech, I am fascinated by the unique aesthetics of the Horyuns, music, folklore… I conduct my own research on this ethnic group and even wrote a scientific paper about them! “ Lisa shares.
Sometimes, the girl says, she is asked why she doesn’t listen to something more modern.
“I don’t know how to explain it, because these ancient songs, clothes, traditions are so real and authentic… It’s impossible not to fall in love with them from the first minute!” – says the schoolgirl.
Scientific works
“Writing scientific papers for MES is not only about science, – thinks Lisa, – it is also a great growth experience for me: I learn to express my thoughts, defend my point of view, and present my ideas in a reasoned manner. I appreciate this experience very much and I am sure that I will need it again!…”
Liza is now 15, and many dramatic events have already happened in her life: war, occupation. But despite this, the girl has an active attitude, enjoys every minute of life. She says that in five years she wants to be even more confident, have more knowledge, a cool team and new hobbies.
The #ПоколенияПеремогы project was created in video, photo and text format. The photo exhibition can be seen in the center of Kyiv (Gulliver shopping center, 2nd floor). Famous photographer Sasha Maslov worked on photo stories of teenagers, whose works are regularly published by publications such as The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Newyorker, Guardian, Wall Street Journal Magazine and others. His lens captured not only touching moments, but also the power that pulsates in the heart of every child’s talent.
Text: Yana Altukhova
We are proud of this generation, because this is #ПоколеннияПеремогы
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