Guido Heisig: “For me, it is important to create a feeling that the situation in Ukraine is not just about numbers, it is first and foremost about the people who live here”

An interview with the German pilot and artist for the Museum of Civilian Voices founded by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.

The Kyiv History Museum is hosting the exhibition “Diaries of the Civilians: Voices of those who survived and those who did not”. This is a documentary project of the Museum of Civilian Voices founded by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, which collects and stores the world’s largest collection of first-hand accounts of the war in Ukraine. So far, the Museum has collected more than 120,000 stories. 

As part of the exhibition, a public interview with Guido Heisig, a German pilot, artist and author of the art book Silent Heroes, took place. This is a collection of stories about ordinary Ukrainians whose lives were forever changed by the war. In this edition, Guido uses illustrations and texts to convey the experiences and strength of spirit of Ukrainians who witnessed the horrors of war.  

Public interviews as part of the documentary project “Diaries of the Civilians: Voices of those who survived and those who did not” are part of a series of cultural events of the Museum of Civilian Voices founded by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation aimed at preserving the memory of the war. 

The conversation is moderated by Natalia Yemchenko, Communications Director of System Capital Management, member of the Supervisory Board of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.

Natalia Yemchenko: Guido Heisig is a pilot who, by coincidence, found himself in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and met the beginning of a full-scale war with us. This was the impetus for Guido to write a book called Silent Heroes, the main idea of which is to tell the stories of ordinary Ukrainians to the European audience. It is important that these stories are told not only in the Ukrainian voice, but also in the voice of a European – Guido. This is of particular importance to us. After all, we, at the Museum of Civilian Voices founded by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, are also constantly looking for different ways to tell the world about the war in Ukraine in a way that will resonate with the hearts and minds of Europeans.

Guido, what motivated you, as a pilot, to write a book about Ukraine? How did you come up with this idea?

Guido Heisig: Why did I, a pilot, write a book? That’s a good question. It was not part of my plans, but it is important to understand the general context. I lived in Kyiv because I worked as a pilot, and I was here regularly for ten, eleven or even twelve years. Of course, during this time, a person makes friends and develops a certain connection with the city. This is natural. When the war broke out, the situation was not easy. Back in December and January, there were some disturbing hints, signals that something was happening, but most of us turned a blind eye. We said to ourselves: “No, this is impossible. This cannot happen”. That’s what many people thought at the time.

Natalia Yemchenko: So you didn’t believe that the war would start?

Guido Heisig: Perhaps I was a little hesitant because I am from another country. In general, it was like this: I bought about twenty airline tickets and a lot of train tickets, because I thought that if I had to flee, I should be prepared. But then I thought: “Everything looks calm, maybe the war won’t start”. So I lost all the tickets. Two days before the war officially started, we managed to get the plane out of Ukraine. It was very difficult, because the airports were already closing, and the plane was very expensive, and we wanted to save it. It happened like this: I received a call in the middle of the night and was told: “Guido, we have received permission to take off”. I flew on that plane to Chișinău, but all my friends stayed here. All the planes were diverted, and an hour later I received an official call, I was told that the war had started, and Kyiv was already under attack. 

Let me return to your question about how I started writing the book. You know, when I travel, I always take a sketchbook with me. It’s like a personal diary for me, but I don’t write in it every day. I take it when I feel the need to write or draw something. Sometimes it’s words, sometimes sketches. Of course, after the war started, I continued to come to Ukraine, even though it was very dangerous, but I tried to be careful. I also helped several hospitals with tools. In Germany, I looked for used medical tools and brought them to Kyiv. During these trips, I often met people. They shared their stories with me. It was then that I started writing down what I heard in my little notebook.

Natalia Yemchenko: Who was the first hero?

Guido Heisig: The first story I recorded was about a doctor. I met him when I brought him a medical tool for closing wounds – an electric suture device. Then I collected seven or eight more stories and realised that this was a real treasure. I thought it was worth creating a book, although at first I wasn’t sure about it.

Natalia Yemchenko: I’m curious, how did you choose the people who became the heroes of your stories?

Guido Heisig: At first, I chose those who approached me. Then I added stories from friends and acquaintances. When I realised that this could become a book project, I had already collected about eight stories, but I needed more. So I shared the idea with my friends, hoping they could help me find new heroes. They supported me and my idea, and that’s how we started collecting new stories.

Natalia Yemchenko: I know that you consider this book to be a diary of war. Can this diary of stories from the “silent heroes” be understood by a European audience? Does it really work?

Guido Heisig: I know that it works. I share these stories in Europe and Germany. What is important is that it is not just about Ukraine, Germany or France. It is first and foremost about people, and the language of humanity is a universal language that everyone understands. Ultimately, this is what makes these stories special and touching. I see that people do not get tired of reading them, and the combination of sketches and texts evokes emotions. It’s not about politics, it’s about people, and it’s very important to give these stories “wings” so that they can fly further into the world.

Natalia Yemchenko: I believe that everyone who survived the war can be a hero of such a story. We, at the Museum of Civilian Voices founded by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, have already collected thousands of such stories. People often think that their stories are not important, but we try to explain why this is not the case. You don’t have to lose everything to be a hero – every experience is unique. What is your opinion on this?

Guido Heisig: I am sure that these heroes will say: “I just did what I could, but I’m not a hero for a book or anything like that”. However, I object to that. Maybe such a person is not a blockbuster hero, but he or she is a hero in life. Reading these stories, you realise that people were in extremely stressful situations, literally on the verge of survival, but they coped with it. Just imagine how brave these people are! Even if they don’t feel like heroes, for me they are. They deserve to be written about in books.

Natalia Yemchenko: This is a message to our audience: do not think that your story is not important enough. Every life during the war is a treasure. We do not know which story will change the world or the perception of people in Europe. We need thousands of stories collected by the Museum of Civilian Voices founded by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation. This will give us confidence that we are being heard. Do you think Europeans’ perception of the war is changing, given that the war has been going on for about three years now? 

Guido Heisig: There are changes. Europe and Germany, where many refugees are now staying, are starting to get tired. When I read the news, I often see only numbers – how many drones have been shot down, how many people have died. The brain gets used to these numbers. That’s why I believe that art is a great way to wake people up. For me, it is important to make people feel that the situation in Ukraine is not just about numbers, it is first and foremost about the people who live here. We are currently planning a big exhibition in Germany. People want to hear such stories because they are unique and human.

Natalia Yemchenko: You say: statistics no longer work, but stories still have power, and people in Europe are ready to hear about other people. Your book is not only about words, but also about illustrations. I’m wondering if this picture component adds new value for an international audience. Telling stories is already an art form, but you go further by illustrating them in a very special way. What does that change? 

Guido Heisig: This is how I expressed my feelings. Now that my book has been published, I realise that sketches as art are a unique communication tool because they don’t need words. I want you to look at a sketch and want to know more about the story. This is the idea behind the book. That is, you can open the book on any page, see a picture, it will catch your eye, and then you will want to read the text. Drawing is also a way of communication, which can sometimes convey much more than words. 

Natalia Yemchenko: Do you plan to sell the book in Europe? If so, when and where? Will there be translations into languages other than English?

Guido Heisig: I wrote this book because I felt I had to do it, and when it was finished, I thought: “Task accomplished”. But then I realised that I still needed to present it to the world. And this is the hardest part. Now the book can be found in Kyiv, in the Sense bookstore, and purchased online through ArtHuss. I understand that it won’t become a bestseller in Ukraine – no one is surprised by such stories here. That’s why the book is more important for an international audience. For me, sales are not the main thing, although the presentations give a great response – people appreciate the very fact that this publication exists. 

Natalia Yemchenko: What are your plans for the next year?

Guido Heisig: Next year, in February or March, we will hold a big exhibition. I have a strong team that wants to create a large-scale event.

Natalia Yemchenko: We are also telling the world about the war in Ukraine, collecting and preserving stories at the Museum of Civilian Voices founded by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation. However, foreigners like you, who perceive this war as their own, play an extremely important role and we need such people. 

Guido Heisig: Thank you. I really feel that way. Perhaps because I am a pilot and my mission is not yet complete. Yes, I wrote a book, but for me, I haven’t “landed this plane” yet. I am still in the air. The ongoing war is not only a problem for Ukraine, it is a challenge for the entire Western world. I come from Germany, I have the freedom to travel, to think, to speak, but this freedom is fragile. A wave of war can reach Europe. What a distance it is – just a few hours by plane. It’s almost nothing.

Natalia Yemchenko: After three years, Ukrainians are tired of this war, and we understand that Europe is also exhausted. Maybe now it is time to change the approach to covering the war? 

Guido Heisig: I see Ukrainian artists successfully presenting their work in the world. It seems that the cultural and artistic aspects are becoming even more important. People never get tired of culture.

Natalia Yemchenko: There are 35 stories and characters in your book. Do you believe that some of them can change the perception of the war in Europe?

Guido Heisig: All the characters in the book are a part of me. But working on the text is extremely difficult, it was a real adventure. I am a perfectionist and wanted everything to be perfect. I’ve read each story dozens of times and I’m still moved by it. They are all different: from simple in structure to those that strike to the core. 

Natalia Yemchenko: Thank you for publishing this book in Ukraine. It is a necessary decision. Could you tell us about the concept of the book with bullet holes and why it is so important?

Guido Heisig: The idea was to have bullet holes in every copy. But when I approached the printing house, they were shocked by the idea and said it was impossible, because it would spoil the printing on the other pages. But I didn’t give up and we eventually found a solution – we had to make the holes in each copy by hand. It’s real, you can even smell the smoke. Yes, it is cruel, but I wanted you to feel this effect when you hold the book in your hands. It’s not just a book anymore, it’s art above all.

Natalia Yemchenko: How do you create an outstanding product, an art book or something similar?

Guido Heisig: To create a good product, you need a good team. You attract such people when you are inspired by the idea. At first, I was naïve, because it was my first book, and I didn’t listen to advice. But you have to be open to people’s suggestions. You see, together with the team, we found a common solution on how to realise my design idea. In the end, everyone was happy, even the printing house. By the way, this is probably the only book in the world that has bullet holes. It is as unique as Ukraine.

Natalia Yemchenko: You know, sometimes people say that art is not relevant during the war, that it is better to wait with art projects until the end of the fighting. What is your opinion on this? 

Guido Heisig: This is very personal for me. I like to be around art, it creates a good atmosphere around me. It’s important for people. Look at Kyiv: the best restaurants and cafés are now operating here, and it’s not just food, it’s relaxation, it’s an atmosphere that takes you to another world. Creating a good atmosphere is like a cure for the soul.

Natalia Yemchenko: Is the artistic approach important now not only as a common language with Europe, but also as therapy?

Guido Heisig: Art is even more important now because it touches the soul when you are tired. You want a good atmosphere, music, books, restaurants – anything that brings you peace.

Natalia Yemchenko: Are you planning a second edition of the book, but with new characters?

Guido Heisig: Actually, I still have to think about it. I assume that these stories can definitely become the basis for something new, such as a theatre performance or a film. I am open to new ideas. As a pilot, whose job is to transport passengers safely from point A to point B, I am too responsible. When I was collecting people’s stories, I also felt that I had a very important mission. I wanted everything I recorded to be heard. This is my mission, and you know, I think it continues to this day. I’m like an airplane still in the air.