THE NATIONAL UNION OF
JOURNALISTS OF UKRAINE
Olena Pimienova from Kherson has been in journalism for sixteen years. She worked in various local publications and the press service of the city council. For the first three months after the full-scale invasion, Olena stayed with her family in Kherson. But already in May, she had to leave her hometown for the Dnipropetrovsk Region. She lived together with her husband and parents in Kryvyi Rih.
After moving, the journalist created the Telegram channel called Peremozhenka [Victory], where she spread positive news about Ukrainians and Ukraine. In July 2023, she founded the online information publication Misto Sontsia [City of the Sun], in which she is the owner, editor-in-chief, and author of publications.
When asked about the name of the publication and how it is possible to survive in the current realities and maintain the media, Olena Pimienova says:
“As for the name, I chose it because of the association with Kherson, where it is sunny and warm almost all year round. Thanks to our news site, I can talk about what is happening there and reminds me of Kherson. In order to provide the media itself with finances to improve and develop the site, I am actively engaged in the search for grants, state initiatives to help journalists. As a result, I have received a scholarship from the Institute of Political Information several times. And thanks to the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine and the Ivano-Frankivsk Journalists’ Solidarity Center, I have a powerful power bank that helps me a lot in my work, especially now, when there is no electricity for several hours in a row.”
The journalist is also actively involved in volunteering. She has her own merchandise and accessories and also makes jams from different fruits. All profits from the sale of products go to help the people of Kherson. This year, I decided to try something new. This is how a small family apiary appeared.
“In June, I was in Kherson and realized that only there did I feel at home. The water, air, sun, and people are different there. Of course, I am grateful to Kryvyi Rih for sheltering us and for continuing to support us. But I dream of the moment when I return to my hometown,” says the journalist.
In this context, I ask Olena about her biggest dream.
“I really want to wake up and see only one headline in all the news feeds: “Ukraine wins!” And to convey this good news to my readers,” says Olena Pimienova.
Call the Ivano-Frankivsk JSC at 066 677 0726 (Viktoriya Plakhta, the Ivano-Frankivsk JSC coordinator). The Center’s address is 25 Sichovykh Striltsiv Street.
ABOUT JSC
The Journalists’ Solidarity Centers is an initiative of the NUJU implemented with the support of the International and European Federations of Journalists and UNESCO. The initiative is designated to help media representatives working in Ukraine during the war. The Centers operate in Kyiv, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro and provide journalists with organizational, technical, legal, psychological, and other types of assistance.
ABOUT UNESCO
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication, and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding. It is the coordinator of the UN Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which aims to create a free and safe environment for journalists and media workers, thus strengthening peace, democracy, and sustainable development worldwide. UNESCO is working closely with its partner organizations in Ukraine to provide support to journalists on the ground.
The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this digest do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area or its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
The authors are responsible for the choice and the presentation of the facts contained in this digest and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit to the organization.
Viktoriya Plakhta, the Ivano-Frankivsk JSC coordinator
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