People, undressed, scratched, barefoot, in a state of shock – these are Liudmyla Holovach’s memories of the first refugees from the occupied villages who were received by the village of Vysoke in Zhytomyr region. People’s stories about their experiences shocked her. In March 2022, Liudmyla heard the echoes of fighting from the neighbouring Kyiv region. She recalls how worried she was about her children and grandchildren. 

In wartime, the language of culture took on a new meaning, and Liudmyla has been running the village club for twenty years. She collects exhibits that illustrate the traditions and history of the people and works to preserve the cultural heritage. The collection of towels and embroidered shirts includes a shirt from the Second World War. It belonged to Liudmyla’s elder relative, who was taken from Ukraine to Germany for forced labour in the 1940s. They were called “Ostarbeiters”. This embroidered shirt was with her. The woman was lucky to return home. And now the shirt is kept in the museum room of the village of Vysoke.

Every towel, every detail is not just a fabric. It’s a story, full of grief and suffering, joy and hope. Vyshyvankas have become symbols of invincibility. “We have to revive our culture,” says Liudmyla, “do everything we can to preserve our memory in the face of this war.”

Liudmyla and her fellow villagers are actively involved in volunteering: they cook food, make nets for the defenders, and search for necessary items for the military.