In my research, I discovered that Czechia had received nearly 390,000 Ukrainian refugees; among them, more than 110,000 are between the ages of 10 and 24.  I found that number staggering – and heartbreaking.  I learned that in addition to processing their own displacement and trauma, they frequently face prejudice and discrimination, all while trying to learn a new language and culture, continue their studies, and seek to build a future for themselves.  

Not only this, but many wake up each morning to news feeds filled with images of the latest destruction, checking to see if their families or villages back home have survived another night of missile and drone attacks.  Others wake in the night, remembering what life was like under fire.  As Kateryna, one of the girls I photographed, said, “At the age of 17, no one should have to accept the possibility of her death in a couple of seconds from a Russian missile.”

When I approached this project of photographing Ukrainian teen refugees, I expected mostly to hear stories of heartache and loss.  While everyone has stories like this, what I found was that rather than focusing on the dark part of their lives, these youth are focused on the present and the future.  Few want to be thought of as ‘refugees’.  While there is underlying sadness and loss, most of the stories I heard were about working hard, making the most of the opportunities in front of them, and working toward a future that they desire.  This, of course, includes a future of peace in Ukraine.  But it also includes goals like becoming world-champion ballroom dancers, or completing masters degrees, or finding a profession – like photography – that they love.

"Ukrainians are very expressive.  After leaving Ukraine due to the war, many youth felt lost and depressed without the arts,” says Oksana Dolga, a Ukrainian living in Prague for many years.  “But when they were able to find a way to make art again – to have self-expression – it brought them back to life, improved their mental health, and brought a sense of normality to an abnormal situation." 

This project focuses on telling the stories of displaced Ukrainian youth who have made creativity part of their lives.  We worked with dancers, writers, poets, clothing designers, jugglers, photographers, actors, painters, illustrators, teachers, martial artists, and more.  For most of these young people, having a creative pursuit helped them find comfort and purpose in the midst of chaos.  For some, their creative pursuit gave them a way to make Czech friends, and helped them integrate.  For others like Denys and Kateryna, their art form has been a means to connect Ukrainians and Czechs through storytelling and theater.  For Valerii and Anastasia, the competition of speedcubing or ballroom dance has given them something positive to focus on and work hard at.  For Hanna, music has been a way to build community and create respite for other refugees.  For Regina, dance is a way to deal with her fears, and to inspire others.

I could go on and on.  After interviewing and photographing over 40 Ukrainian youth, my admiration for their tenacity and resilience is immense.  I am inspired, and I hope you will be too.  Now, I’ll let these incredible young people share their own stories….