Kateryna is the chief custodian of the collection at the National Museum of Literature of Ukraine. Before the war, her life was filled with harmony: a beloved job, a cozy apartment in Irpin, and plans for the future. But everything changed on the morning of 24 February 2022.

Together with her family, she left for the Vinnytsia region, from where she learned about the occupation of Irpin, the destroyed home, and the neighbors who had been killed. When the city was liberated, Kateryna returned — at a time when it still had no electricity, water, or heating. She cleared the debris, helped her neighbors, and restored her home.

The greatest joy was returning to the museum — a symbol that life goes on. Today Kateryna once again lives in Irpin, which she loves with all her heart, and says: the war took a lot, but it could not take away the most important thing — faith, optimism, and love for people.