Freedom and persecution.

There is a history attached to this work. I like visiting border countries. They often have a turbulent history, sometimes it is very violent. We visited Ukraine, 10 years ago. We were in Kiew, It was May 1, labour day. Everywhere one celebrated this day. In de most beautiful national clothes danced boys and often beautiful girls, flamboyant dances, not comparable to our national dances. I saw the historical museum behind the stage where people danced. I am very interested in history and I wanted to go there, but I did not get my husband one two three. His eyes were glued to the beautiful display and of course also to the beautiful girls. Unfortunately in the museum, all explanations were in the Ukrainian language. I came to a showcase above which Stalin's portrait hung. A cross was drawn across it with large red stripes. In the showcase hung all photos of people young and old. I turned to the attendant and asked in English and then in German the how and why of this showcase. I was able to experience what it meant to be unable to communicate. I suddenly asked her: "Italiano"? "Si, si, si", was the answer and she looked happy. I walked to the stairs where my husband slowly walked up. He spoke Italian, luckily. Then the woman told that the display contained photos of people who had been deported and died by the Russians during the war. Her family was also massacred, only she was left. A terrible story, outside the cheerfulness and inside the immense sadness, The contrast could not be greater.

Margriet van Engelen