Art and Action: Stories from Ukraine's Frontlines

Selah Greer, Editor of The Spark

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has largely slipped out of the American media and American people's consciousness, but for Andrew Harrelson, former Watauga student and Powderhorn journalist, the ongoing war is very much a daily reality. Harrelson graduated from Watauga in 2014, and after getting a degree in English literature and writing, left the states to do humanitarian work in places like Iraq and is currently a volunteer combat medic in Ukraine. Though the transition from the field of literature to an active combat zone may seem unusual, creating art often translates to creating change in our world. 

“A lot of writers and English people kind of find their way into humanitarian stuff. It's interesting how those two worlds blend - art and action,” Harrelson said. “I think they are always connected.”

Harrelson’s decision to enter humanitarian work was motivated in part by his passion for art, but living and working in a conflict zone has given him a newfound appreciation for the power of art and provided unique inspiration for his poetry.

“Ukraine and my experiences, like working with soldiers and other medics, and just living with Ukrainians is what inspires a lot of my writing,” Harrelson said. “I love these people. My Ukrainian friends just have endless energy and endless compassion. They're not living their lives as if imminent doom is upon them.”

Imminent doom is, as a matter of fact, a very real possibility for the men, women, children, soldiers, and aid workers in the face of nightly bombing, blackouts, perpetual drone strikes, and battlefield casualties. Nearly every Ukrainian has a family member in the armed forces, and the Ukrainian’s who have yet to lose a loved one live in constant apprehension of the conflict’s lengthening shadow of death. Yet, it is amidst this difficult and dark reality that the light of humanity shines the brightest.

“This generation [growing up in the war] has this real, vibrant life and soul and passion for the future, but also, a deep passion for right now. And I just think that [this generation] is very grounded while a lot of the world feels kind of a little lost,” Harrelson says, “There are some advantages to war, I guess, in that it really strips bare a lot of existence and makes reality quite black and white in a lot of ways. And you have to come to grips with what you believe, what you want, who you care about, and what you're going to do. And that's very inspiring that so many of my friends here are just energized to do that, to really sort through that, and to do something meaningful with their lives every day, despite the hard circumstances.”

The passion, resilience, and veracity of the Ukrainian people is evident in their unwavering commitment to resisting the Russian invasion, but the voices articulating this astounding passion is the work of Ukrainian artists. Many of these artists currently documenting the war and advocating for freedom have been fighting to create a society that accepts, protects, and respects artistic expression since the 1960s, when Ukraine existed behind the Iron Curtain and under the heavy hand of the USSR. However, the bloody legacy of artistic repression in Ukraine began long before the 1960s. The “Executed Renaissance" is one such example of the dishearteningly familiar legacy of Russian oppression, partially of the arts, where hundreds of Ukrainian intellectuals and writers were tortured and killed by the Soviet state.   

Yet, despite every attempt by Russian imperial pursuits to crush the creative spirit of the Ukrainian people, their work lives on and their struggle is furthered by each brave generation. Though the work of these artists varies widely in medium and subject matter, beneath the amassing brushstrokes, stanzas, apertures, scenes, and chords a distinct harmony of national pride rings true.

“Some Ukrainian poetry and pieces of art are very much focused on processing the war and this deep sense of injustice, grief, and pain, destruction,” Harrelson said. “And at the same time, there is poetry talking about the beauty of your home city in Ukraine and natural scenes.”

The incredible thing about this earth is that beauty can flourish in the shadow of war, and remain resolute in the face of its antithesis - death and destruction. Finding balance in the delicate dance between the destruction of war and the marvel of everyday resilience, often mirrored by the continuity of nature, is essential to maintaining one's sanity in an active combat zone, but is also a balance Harrelson seeks to find in his poetry.

 “What I love to do is to just try and weave it all together. It is really powerful to bring all of [an experience] onto one page and let that whole moment sit there,” Harrelson said. “For example, the building next door blew up, but the birds are still doing their everyday thing and they'll do it everyday. There is something powerful about that.”

For young writers across the Atlantic, Harrelson emphasizes that poetry doesn’t necessarily have to be refined through challenging circumstances or communicate profound emotion. Instead, the quiet act of choosing to put one’s thoughts, ideas, and everyday feelings to paper is what matters.

“You can say what you want, you can put it in any word order you want, you don't have to make everything rhyme, it doesn't have to follow a strict set of rules - and that is really freeing. It can be on anything, it doesn't have to be something epic or powerful - and maybe it will take you a long time to write a poem that really hits home on what you are trying to say,” Harrelson said. “But in and of itself, writing is so good for you, just as a daily practice to put something down and reflect on yourself.”

Humanity has an extraordinary capacity for averting our eyes from the tragedy that so often constitutes our world. However, we also hold the capability to bear witness to destruction and respond with action - a trait exemplified by the countless Ukrainian artists, soldiers, and volunteers like Harrelson who hold the front lines of freedom despite increasing Russian aggression. But, for many Americans, acknowledging the reality of constant political strife, conflict, famine, and disaster internationally can be overwhelming. The choice to look away is easier, but choosing such inaction and gross indifference reveals something alarming about our state of compassion, and has consequences for the entire world.

“I wish people would recognize that beyond all the propaganda, this war is affecting everyday people. Moms, dads, sons, and daughters are dying everyday because of Russian imperialism,” Harrelson said. “Choosing to not stand up for that and choosing to say that's not my problem is a failure of human dignity and of humanity in general. I think anyone that doesn't look within themselves and say that's wrong really needs to self reflect on what they believe.”

*To see the work of Ukrainian musicians, filmmakers, poets, and journalists and for further exploration of their work, click here.