“It is very sad and extremely painful that you have to celebrate your 31st birthday, while the country from which you have torn yourself away is pulverizing your houses and killing people,” says Jaap Breugem of the Vital’nya Foundation in Utrecht. Vital’nya is the Ukrainian word for living room. The foundation has been trying to have that function since 1 April. It is a center where refugees can come together. For example, to share their stories and grief, but also to look ahead. “Every evening we organize activities for Ukrainian refugees in and around Utrecht. Language lessons, yoga lessons, cycling lessons and employment agency lessons will be given,” says Breugem.
Ukrainians in Utrecht and Montfoort hold their breath on Independence Day: ‘Always in suspense’
