The horror of war in children’s paintings – SKAI in a Ukrainian center in Athens

By Makis Synodinos

They capture in colorful paintings, images that their childish eyes saw in the horror of war.

They use their imagination to paint with colors what they lived and their dreams for the future.

The reason for Children of refugees in Ukraine who escaped the war and arrived in Greece in search of a better tomorrow.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Center “Bereginia” in Athens opens its doors and is filled with childish voices and smiles.

Young refugees from Ukraine with their shoulder bags start their lessons early in the morning. With the guidance of the center’s managers and Ukrainian volunteers who have lived in Greece for years, they continue the lessons they took in Ukraine, while they also teach the Greek language.

The paintings that are scattered in the space are our lesson, explains Mrs. Oxana Kozy is in charge of the cultural association. Through painting they learn to express their feelings after what they experienced in Ukraine. “They are children whose fathers were left behind, who are currently fighting, who do not know if they will meet again,” she tells us excitedly.

Like her father 13-year-old Anastasia who came to Greece a week ago with her mother and aunt as her father had to stay behind.

“Overnight we prepared to leave, I greeted my dad, got some basic necessities and started with mom and aunt.”

As he describes to us, most of the time they lived in the shelter that they had built in the detached house they lived in Sumi.

“My dream is to stop the war, to become Peace.” She hopes that one day she will return home to her father and wishes Ukraine to join the EU.

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