For over three months, Kyiv’s Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti) has seen people joining together like in no other Revolution before. The initial protests were peaceful demonstrations against the then-president Victor Yanukovych’s decision to back out of a Euro-integration agreement and to accept a $15-billion loan from the Russian Federation. The movement escalated when state special police force, “Berkut,” attempted a violent dispersion of the demonstrators. Ukrainian people chose to stand up together as a nation and fight the corrupt government power – the regime that defrauded Ukraine’s economy. Prior to the Maidan upspring, the ruling Party of Regions under Yanukovych’s lead, which came to power in 2010, invigorated Russian navy presence in Crimea; disregarded relations with NATO; renewed Russification of Ukrainian schools and in both print and electronic media; falsified elections; politically repressed opposition and jailed those who did not agree with the current government; enriched themselves, their relatives and children; and deepened widespread corruption. And although Yanukovych always talked about Ukraine moving closer to Europe and its standards, he backed out of signing the EU agreement during the Vilnius Summit on November 29, 2013. That was the starting point for Euromaidan.
The Maidan movement united people. Since the end of November and until today, Kyiv’s Independence Square has seen Ukrainians unite for change and for a better future. Individuals ranging from intelligentsia, activists, business people, teachers and students, poets and musicians, priests, and perhaps every profession known. There were people coming from all over Europe and North America as well. Maidan awakened people’s spirits, as millions of Ukrainians sang “Ukraine is not yet dead” (the Ukrainian national anthem). It also began to be viewed as a protest of a far-reaching effect, as marches and demonstrations to honour those shot dead and beaten by riot police sprung up in many European counties, as well as in Canada, US, Brazil, India, and Japan. Maidan, in retrospect, became known as a fight of heroes. Today, people continue to pay their tributes to the “Heavenly Hundred” – those who were violently killed by the police in the fight for freedom and sovereignty of Ukraine. Independence Square is filled with candles and flowers, and prayers go out to the wounded still under care. Unlike the Orange Revolution of 2004, the Maidan movement is still active. There is an unspoken understanding that the movement will not go away until there is evidence of actual change. The people are determined to stay on the Maidan until the new government achieves positive changes, justice and peace – especially with the current situation in Crimea, where Russian military intervened on the Ukrainian territory.
For many Ukrainians abroad, it is difficult to sit and watch as the situation evolves in Ukraine. They follow the news closely and are worried a great deal , as they feel emotionally attached to their Homeland as well as that of their ancestors. Many Ukrainian Canadians feel the need to contribute in any way they can. In Toronto, and other major Canadian cities, youths and elders continuously voice their concerns regarding Ukraine’s situation during local demonstrations, which have been commencing since the beginning of the Maidan uprising. Activists have also been organizing fundraisers for Kyiv’s fallen victims of protests and their families. Some even went to Ukraine’s capital, to visit Independence Square in order to provide support to the people behind barricades.
Mark Marczyk, a young Torontonian musician, who got inspired by the process of this revolution, visited Maidan as the attacks on anti-government protesters began. Marczyk said he felt extremely connected emotionally because of his Ukrainian heritage. But what is more, the Maidan movement had a strong effect on him in relation to the values he holds as a Canadian. Specifically, the basic freedoms. Thus, for Marczyk, it was not only about a fight for democracy in Ukraine. He felt obligated to help the people on Maidan because he saw this revolution as a part of a larger, global human rights issue. He came to the Maidan in order to contribute in any way he could.
During his journey to Maidan, Marczyk wanted to connect with people through music and conversation. Entering the Square, he would walk around and start to speak with people (in Ukrainian and Russian). Marczyk began collecting people’s stories and keeping a journal. While on Maidan, he wanted to provide support and allow people to share their stories – the real stories of ordinary people, which became heroes of the Euromaidan revolution. Marczyk also played music with the Maidan artists.
“The revolutionary movement had a great impact on me” – said Marczyk. “Most of all, I was completely blown away by the organization, by the spirit and readiness of people – ordinary people, everybody from beekeepers to electricians, to musicians and teachers… everyone who put their lives on the line to fight the completely corrupt government.” Maidan’s remarkable organization, an atmosphere of collective strength – with everyone contributing, whether by chopping wood, preparing food, passing tires, and being front line defenders – is one of the reasons this revolution has been successful up until this point, in accordance with Marczyk. He also pointed out that he has witnessed Euromaidan movement unify an enormous group of people – young and old, people of diverse social classes and religious beliefs, men and women coming together from different regions of Ukraine, and even from other continents. He saw Euromaidan protesters stay united, despite all factors – including the frigid temperatures and countless police attacks. Euromaidan stood strong against oppression, a truly impressive feat.
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Now back in Toronto, Mark is committing the stories he heard to paper, in an effort to share people’s experience with the rest of the world. “I think it is really important for everyone to hear those stories and to have them in a consolidated space,” he says. With a publisher’s help, Marczyk further hopes he will be able to make his journal available to a wider audience within Canada and the United States, outside the Ukrainian diaspora. In April, he will be returning to Maidan with a cultural project – which is comprised of journalists, musicians and artists and a goal of supporting people in Ukraine through the elections by giving them an opportunity to express themselves.
“While I was on Maidan, I heard people saying how fortunate they are to receive support from across the globe, as so many individuals are ready to support Ukraine in any way they can” – Marczyk said. He calls out to Canadians, and every nation intolerant of the regime, to stand alongside men and women on Maidan – even if in a symbolic way, through donations and moral support. He also asks to share information through the social media channels. On his part, Marczyk hopes to publish his journal collection relatively soon – enabling an understanding of the Euromaidan revolution through individuals’ feelings and emotions. “Every little bit counts in this revolution,” he says, “we can make a difference collectively.” Today, Ukraine needs the international community’s support, as its people are laying down their souls and bodies in the fight against oppression and Russia’s unduly interferences on the Ukrainian internal affairs.
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