The Deep Roots of Resilience: what a crown taught me about today’s Ukraine
A former 'Mini-Miss Ukraine' winner reflects on her identity and the impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine through the lens of her childhood in Luhansk. She describes her transition from a Russian-speaking environment to embracing Ukrainian identity during the 2014 Euromaidan Revolution.
Why it matters
The personal narrative illustrates the cultural and linguistic shifts within Ukraine that have fueled national resilience against Russian occupation.
The crown I am talking about is a solid, continuous band. Crafted from a seamless combination of white and yellow gold, it is meticulously encrusted with pink and white diamonds. At the front, the crown rises high like mountain peaks, adorned with large, blooming flowers. At the back, it dips low, its ornament flowing like sea waves. It was forged in Kramatorsk in 1999. This is the official 'Mini-Miss Ukraine' crown. Twenty-five years ago, I won this beauty pageant for minors. The main emphasis of the contest has always been on talent—dancing, singing, or other forms of artistic expression. Back then, I lived in Luhansk, the easternmost regional center of Ukraine, located just 30 kilometres from the Russian border—a city that has been occupied since 2014.
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