THE NATIONAL UNION OF
JOURNALISTS OF UKRAINE
On June 5, the press center of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) hosted a presentation of a series of postcards titled “I Am From a Family of Journalists,” created based on drawings by children and grandchildren of Ukrainian media workers. The event was timed to coincide with the professional holiday, Journalist’s Day, celebrated on June 6.
The postcards were based on drawings selected from the works of more than 100 children from all over Ukraine. Last year, these drawings were presented at an exhibition organized by the NUJU. The children expressed their vision of the journalistic profession. They discussed family pride, the challenges adults face, and the importance and value of the power of words, as well as the pursuit of truth. Now, the Union has given the drawings a new life.
“We gathered in Kyiv this day on the eve of Journalist’s Day and have the opportunity to continue our work, organize meetings, and generally lead a normal life thanks to the fact that Ukrainian soldiers are defending our land,” said Lina Kushch, the First Secretary of the NUJU, opening the event. “Journalists are no exception. Those are journalists whose profession became risky during the full-scale invasion, yet at the same time, very important. Since 2022, a total of 125 Ukrainian media workers have been killed while performing their professional duty or protecting us on the battlefield. We, journalists, always say that our work is not limited to 8 working hours. Something that takes up our whole life. Often, our work intersects with family relationships and our lives outside the office. As the NUJU, we support journalists and understand that their children are also a vital part of moral support, a crucial aspect of our lives. And today, we propose to look at the profession of a journalist through the eyes of children as they see their parents.”
The postcards feature the works of Lolita, daughter of the famous TV presenter and author of the project called The Interviewer Anatolii Anatolych, Maria – daughter of the media trainer of the Academy of Ukrainian Press Andrii Yurychko, Olena – daughter of the journalist of the Media Initiative for Human Rights Lidiya Tarash, Bohdan – son of journalist and public figure Tetiana Cherep-Perohanych and a member of the NUJU, Yurii Perohanych, Oleksandr – son of Zaporizhzhia photojournalist Serhii Bizhko, Alina – granddaughter of TV journalist-immigrant from Berdiansk Viktoriya Horbatko.
The drawings of the children of illegally convicted Crimean journalists Marlen Asanov, Safiye, and Vladyslav Yesypenko, Stefaniya, are especially touching.
“Unfortunately, Vladyslav almost did not see the childhood of our daughter Stefaniya,” said the wife of the captured journalist, Kateryna Yesypenko, in her speech. “Stefaniya has been growing up without a father for five years. This is the saddest thing for our family. No child deserves such a loss. Today, we are here because Stefaniya is presenting her drawing, which she gave to the Union. In principle, everything is quite clear in this child’s drawing. Here is a happy family… as it was and, I really hope, as it will be in the future when Vladyslav returns.”
Honored journalist of Ukraine and editor-in-chief of the magazine Deputy Corps, Vasyl Yurychko – grandfather of Mariya Yurychko, a participant in the creative action, thanked the NUJU for its work with the younger generation. “The idea of involving not only full members but also their families, children, is wonderful,” said Vasyl Yurychko.
The presentation program included performances by children, their famous media fathers, a slideshow, and a video featuring stories about the creation of their works.
The young artists were presented with sweet gifts from NUJU partners. A set of eight postcards will soon be handed over to NUJU’s international partners as a token of gratitude for their support of Ukrainian media and a symbol of journalistic solidarity in times of war.
Olha Shuhnilo
NUJU Information Service
Photo by Larysa Portianko / NUJU
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