Unbreakable Spirit: How Ukrainians Support Each Other Through War
In the face of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, the resilience and creativity of ordinary Ukrainians have shone brightly. Across the country, people have found ways to support one another—whether through volunteer medical battalions providing life-saving aid, artists preserving Ukraine’s cultural heritage, or self-help groups offering psychological and material support to those in need. Religious organizations have also played a vital role in providing shelter, food, and comfort to displaced families. Community kitchens have sprung up to nourish people during this difficult time, and grassroots initiatives continue to give people hope.
For more than three years, Ukraine has stood strong in the face of unimaginable hardship. What was meant to break the country has only strengthened its people’s resolve. Amid the devastation, Ukrainians continue to fight—not only on the front lines but in everyday acts of courage and unity. They rebuild bombed-out homes, create art and music to preserve their cultural identity, and form volunteer networks that stretch across the country and beyond. Their spirit remains unshaken, fueled by an unwavering belief in their sovereignty, culture, and right to exist as a free and independent nation. This war has tested them, but it will not defeat them. Instead, it has forged a society more united than ever, bound by a deep sense of purpose and an unbreakable will to determine its own future.
These are just a few examples of how Ukrainians are stepping up to help each other through the hardships of war. But the true picture of resilience comes to life through those who have seen it firsthand—like Tania Vitvitsky, who continues to travel to Ukraine during the war to document and share the stories of its people as they persevere and support one another.
Ukrainian Voices: An Illustrated Talk by Tania Vitvitsky
On March 20, 2025, Tania Vitvitsky—artist, philanthropist, and lifelong advocate for Ukraine—will share firsthand experiences from her recent working visit to Ukraine in an illustrated talk, “Ukrainian Voices: Volunteering in Ukraine.” Through her lens, she has documented how Ukrainians are coping creatively and positively—through self-help groups, cultural projects, cooking, and volunteering. Her talk will highlight both civic and religious community efforts, showing the strength and determination of everyday Ukrainians.
When & Where:
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Selby Library, Geldbart Auditorium – 1331 First St, Sarasota, Florida
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, with Q&A to follow
This is a free event. For more information, contact Anisa Mycak at anisa.mycak@gmail.com
For Tania Vitvitsky, Ukraine’s Fight is Deeply Personal
For Ukrainians like Tania Vitvitsky, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is not just a geopolitical event—it is a painful chapter in a long history of suffering at the hands of Russian aggression. The war echoes her own family’s tragic past, a past shaped by displacement, loss, and survival. Tania was born in a displaced persons camp in Austria, where her parents and other family members had fled from Ukraine during World War II to escape Russian forces. But not everyone in her family reached safety. Her maternal grandfather, an agronomist, was executed by invading Russian forces.
In a previous interview, Tania remarked, “When the Russians began taking over western Ukraine during WWII, they started killing people who had an education because they had no use for them.” Her grandfather and her grandmother’s sister were marched 400 kilometers and shot. They were buried in a mass grave in Uman, Ukraine.
Tania Vitvitsky—artist, philanthropist, and lifelong advocate for Ukraine
In 1949, when she was three years old, Tania and her family immigrated to the United States on a U.S. Merchant Marine ship, part of a post-war program transporting displaced people. They settled in Philadelphia, but despite growing up in America, Ukraine remained at the heart of her identity. She remained deeply connected to the Ukrainian community both in Ukraine and the United States, staying close to her roots and celebrating Ukrainian culture.
Since 1991, Tania has traveled to Ukraine each year, witnessing the country’s transformation—after the fall of the Soviet Union to Ukraine’s independence—through to today’s continued fight against Russian aggression and freedom.
A Life of Advocacy and Humanitarian Work
Tania has devoted her career to nonprofit and humanitarian work, using her leadership skills to drive impactful change. She served as the Executive Director of the Sabre Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening free institutions and supporting educational initiatives worldwide. Under her leadership, the foundation provided educational materials to libraries and institutions in developing countries, including Ukraine, as well as regions affected by conflict, such as Iraq and Bosnia.
Tania also co-founded the Ukrainian Charitable Platform (UCP), an organization that provides emergency relief, humanitarian aid, and long-term reconstruction efforts for conflict-affected communities in Ukraine. Through her work, she has helped facilitate donations from the United States to Ukrainian nonprofits, assisting displaced families and supporting women affected by wartime violence.
Despite the ongoing dangers in Ukraine, Tania has traveled there multiple times since the war began, spending months at a time documenting life under war. Through her lens, she captures the resilience, hope, and determination of the Ukrainian people. Below are images from Tania’s eight-week journey to Ukraine in 2023, covering Lviv, Izky, Kyiv, Ternopil, and Chortkiv. During this time, Tania documented not only the realities of war but also the unwavering spirit of Ukrainians—how they continue to live their lives, support one another, and demonstrate remarkable resilience.
Kyiv in the evening. A view of the St. Sofia Church and the Bell Tower.
Shown above is Kyiv’s Maidan Square and a view of the “Berehynnia” statue, which replaced a statue of Lenin. The Maidan was the location of the 1993/94 Orange Revolution and the 2013/14 Revolution of Dignity.
Stryskyy Park in Lviv, built 1876/1877, is one of the most beautiful parks in Europe.
Lviv’s Opera House stands as a masterpiece of Vienna Secession and Art Nouveau architecture in this historic, multicultural city.
A Storyteller Through Art and Advocacy
Tania’s work extends beyond humanitarian aid—she is also a visual storyteller, using illustrative talks to share the untold stories of Ukraine. Her most recent trip to Ukraine was a working visit focused on documenting how Ukrainians are navigating the crisis of war. She witnessed how people are coping creatively and positively—through self-help groups, cultural projects, cooking, and volunteering.
Be Part of the Conversation: Firsthand Stories of Courage, Community, and Survival in Ukraine
Tania Vitvitsky’s illustrated talk, “Ukrainian Voices: Volunteering in Ukraine,” offers a rare opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of resilience, unity, and hope amid war. Her deep personal connection to Ukraine, coupled with her extensive humanitarian efforts, makes her a compelling storyteller and advocate for the Ukrainian people.
The unwavering spirit of ordinary Ukrainians, manifesting through volunteerism, cultural preservation, and self-help initiatives, stands as a beacon of hope. These collective efforts not only address immediate needs but also fortify the nation’s identity and unity, demonstrating that even in the darkest times, creativity and positivity can flourish. Join the conversation on March 20 to gain a deeper understanding of these remarkable stories and the individuals behind them.
The main photo for this story was provided by Tania Vitvitsky, captured during her 2023 trip. It features striking street art on Drukarska Street in Lviv, Ukraine. The poignant message reads:
I will wait for you.
I will wait for you day and night.
I will wait for you forever, until you return.
All images for this blog were provided courtesy of Tania Vitvitsky. Use of these images is prohibited without the proper consent, attribution, or license from the source.