www.blikopzeewolde.nl Naast herdenkingstoespraken van burgemeester Gerrit Jan Gorter en Nikki Smid, leerling van basisschool de Panta Rhei was bij dodenherdenking in Zeewolde één van de toespraken van oorlogsvluchteling Natali uit de Oekraïne. blikopzeewolde.nl publiceert de tekst integraal.

I am Natali from Lviv in western Ukraine. We know what it’s like to stand up for your own country and that’s why we are a proud people. For thirty-two years, Ukraine has been an independent country.Lviv is the cultural heart of Ukraine. I will never forget the morning of February twenty-four. I can not believe this is happening here and now with my country. That this is not a movie. I was very scared. I did not know what to do. What awaits me and my family.

I remember my grandfathers’ stories from when they were at the front. I cannot believe that I now see  what they saw then. They fought alongside Russians. They fought together in the war that we could live in peace, I can not imagine how they would feel if they were with us now.

That the lessons of war has not been learned. That blood is spilled again, that bombs fall again, that everything is in ruins, that their grand-children seek help and rescue in other countries and leave everything behind.

Remember……..Love…………Pray…………..

Thank you