Girnyk

Maria Voronchuk observes life in her hometown, founded in 1938 as a mining community: in the local arts centre the band Paradox rehearses for its forthcoming performance. Outside it is market day; elsewhere people queue at a cash machine, whilst two boys report that School Number 19 is the scene of daily exchange of fire.

The mostly Russian-speaking locals refer to their hometown, home to a population of 11,500, as Gornyak. Yet they’re not interested in arguing about language, the priority is survival. In fact those featured do nothing to suggest that war rages around the corner. If anything the onset of spring only appears to raise hopes of a better future. KT