Ever since Russian troops invaded Ukraine just over one year ago, several hundred-thousand Ukrainian refugees arrived in Berlin, looking for shelter. For the 44th edition of ACHTUNG, we wanted to provide a platform to share the different personal journeys that ended in the German capital. The Ukranian Model Kateryna Zub helped us cast Ukrainians that came to Berlin after the war started. Eventhough all our models share the pain about their home country being under attack, they all have very different stories to tell.

Valeriia, 23 years from Ternopil/ Kyiv

ACHTUNG: Why Berlin?

Valeriia: I still did not find the right answer for that. I guess Berlin reminds me of Kyiv. It feels like home to me. It’s a city of opportunities for everyone who comes here. Six years ago, Kyiv had become such a city for me.

ACHTUNG: What do we still not understand about Ukrainians?

Valeriia: That the war is not over yet. We still need support.

ACHTUNG: Why Berlin?

Dima: I’m mentally from Berlin, even though my passport states it differently. I’ve been in love with the city for a long time. I really like it’s dynamic, culture and what is happening in the field of music and art. Now I want to be a part of this. But there is also another reason, not the one that everybody is celebrating about Berlin: I feel incredibly calm here. I feel at home.

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

Dima: Кохання – it means love. Because in my life I do everything for love. Love for myself, for what I do, for the people with whom I spend time. All for love.

ACHTUNG: Where do you go to find hope?

Yuliia: Talking to my son gives me hope. He is 27 years old, and he stayed in Odesa. He firmly believes in our victory and does a lot to help our country. I support him with fundraising for the needs of the army and for humanitarian aid.

ACHTUNG: What color has home?

Yuliia: Yellow and blue. The color of the wheat fields under the blue sky. And the color of the sand by the sea in my hometown.

ACHTUNG: Why Berlin?

Anastasiia: Because I was impressed by how alive, progressive, and powerful the city is. And I found a new home at Claudia’s and her family, who was aware about all the tragedy of the war and wanted to help.

ACHTUNG: What color/smell has home?

Anastasiia: It smells like my grandmother’s food and her eyes are the color of home.

ACHTUNG: What smell has a home?

Nadiia: Home smells like cardamom tea, which is my mom’s favorite. She made it every day, often asking me to help her crush the cardamom seeds. Onions fried in butter, which my grandmother always used as a dressing for Ukrainian varenyky. It takes me right back to the kitchen of my childhood and makes me think of how close I was to my family.

ACHTUNG: The smell of Berlin?

Nadiia: Wet umbrellas, body odor, hookah, kebab, currywurst, and sometimes beer or schnapps that have been spilled.

ACHTUNG: Why Berlin? 

Nikita: Because it is a city where everyone can find a place, whoever you are, without feeling disadvantaged by society. It is a very special city.

ACHTUNG: Where do you go to find hope?

Nikita: I only find hope in the fact that the nightmare cannot last forever. We need to build up our strength and just get through it.

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

Olena: It’s not mine, it’s my son’s traditional Ukrainian shirt – Vyshyvanka. 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 them. It’s very important to him.

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

Olena: Світлина – Svitlyna, it means photo.

ACHTUNG: What smell has a home?

Yana: Right now, I remember the summer smell of Kyiv, linden blossom.

ACHTUNG: The smell of Berlin?

Yana: Berlin has the same smell these days.

ACHTUNG: What do we still not understand about Ukrainians?

Yana: Our sincerity and braveness. And our sense of humor.