Introducing Olena of the Citizens of Ukraine cast from our current ACHTUNG Nr. 44 “Beruhigt Euch Nicht!” issue.

ACHTUNG: How did you get to Berlin?

Olena: My friends offered me to come here and find a place for me and my son.

ACHTUNG: Why Berlin?

Olena: There was no time to choose. I did not plan it. When I received the offer, I grabbed my son and left.

ACHTUNG: What did you do in Ukraine? What are you doing now?

Olena: I was chief marketing manager at Van Cleef & Arples, Bulgari, Tiffany and Montblanc. It was a franchising company in Ukraine, and we worked through their regional head office in Moscow. When the war started, I lost my work. Today I look for job opportunities in the whole of Europe.

ACHTUNG: Where do you go to find hope?

Olena: I read books. It helps me to dive into another reality.

ACHTUNG: What color/smell has home?

Olena: Home smells like a forest after the rain. So, its color is deep green.

ACHTUNG: The color/smell of Berlin?

Olena: It smells like durum and freedom. With a color of purple, very free-minded, international, fast-moving and creative.

Pants VITELLI

ACHTUNG: The one piece of clothes that you (brought with you and) would never give away?

Olena: It’s not mine, it’s my son’s traditional Ukrainian shirt – Vishivanka. We were not able to bring anything with us, but when the opportunity came up to get some personal things from home, he asked me not to forget it. It’s very important to him.

ACHTUNG: Your favorite word in Ukrainian and what does it mean?

Olena: Світлина – Svitlyna, it means photo.

ACHTUNG: Your wish for the future?

Olena: I wish to be safe. And to have the opportunity to go back soon.