Vera, Ole, Daryna, and Veronika
Location: Wieliczka Primary School
Nationality: Ukrainian
These Ukrainian schoolchildren are learning the letter “K” in a Polish primary school. They share their stories of what it was like to leave home, offer thoughts on their new school, and talk about cartoons.
Anna’s House
Location: Anna’s House, East of Krakow
Nationality: Ukrainian
Krakow natives Anna and Michael host a Ukrainian family at their home: sisters Svitlana and Helena, and their children, Alex and Vladamir. Seated around the dining room table, they discuss their experiences leaving Ukraine and the psychological effects of war. Afterwards, Vladamir plays some of his beats.
Victor
Location: Foundation Nidaros
Nationality: Ukrainian
Viktor tried to enlist in the Ukrainian army but was denied based on his age. Speaking a blend of Ukrainian and Russian called Surzhyk, Viktor discusses war, offers some sage wisdom and explains a tattoo he received when he was 17.
Eva
Location: Church in Wieliczka
Nationality: Ukrainian
A high school junior who was planning to apply to universities in Kyiv when the war began, Eva discusses communicating with her extended family in Russia, the impact of social media during war, and shows us a sign she found.
Polina
Location: Plaza Shopping Mall
Nationality: Ukrainian
From the children’s playroom inside a former shopping mall, Polina describes what it’s like to live at one of the largest refugee camps in Krakow. She showcases the art that she and her friends have made for Ukrainian soldiers and freestyles a song about her mom, war and time.
Marika
Location: Czartoyski Museum
Nationality: Ukrainian
Ukrainian-born Marika has lived and worked in Krakow for five years. Working with Clear Sky Ukraine as an associate producer and translator, Marika explains how it feels to have loved ones still in Ukraine.
Alem
Location: Rynek Glowny
Nationality: American
A Crimean Tatar-American journalist who works as a producer for the Kyiv Indepedent, Alem offers thoughts on anger, acceptance, and techno music while walking through Krakow’s historic center.
Unnamed Woman
Location: Krakow Central Station
Nationality: Ukrainian
Waiting for a train to Germany, this woman describes her final days in her home city of Kharkiv and the uncertainty of being a refugee.
Dominic
Location: Renaissance Villa Decius
Nationality: Polish/Ukrainian
A 18-year-old half-Polish and half-Ukrainian high school senior, Dominic discusses his experiences volunteering, shares his feelings on fighting, and plays one of his favorite songs.
Zanna
Location: Renaissance Villa Decius
Nationality: Polish/Ukrainian
A Ukrainian-born novelist, journalist and translator, Zanna currently resides in Krakow. In her interview, Zanna discusses emotional repression and the role of generational trauma in the war.
Ola
Location: Church in Wieliczka
Nationality: Ukrainian
A Ukrainian Mother of two, Ola discusses the difficulties of raising children during wartime, her husband who remains in Ukraine, and how she plans to support her family in Poland.
Yuliya
Location: Foundation Nidaros
Nationality: Ukrainian
A Ukrainian powerlifting champion, Yuliya discusses why she left her home country and her hopes for the future.
Zofia
Location: Krakow Central Station
Nationality: Polish
A member of the ZHR (Polish Scouts), Zofia helped coordinate volunteer efforts during the massive initial wave of refugees. As refugees arrive, Zofia details the immigration process, the extent of government involvement, and the challenges faced by volunteers.
Alina
Location: Plaza Shopping Mall
Nationality: Ukrainian
A 17-year-old university student from Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Alina gives a tour of Plaza, a shopping mall and IMAX theater now converted into refugee housing.
Vitaliy & Eva
Location: Foundation Wolno Nam
Nationality: Ukrainian
A Ukrainian couple staying at Wolno Nam, Vitaliy and Eva talk about their difficulties leaving Ukraine, their parents back home, and introduce us to a family of puppies.
