‘Nezlamna Kalyna’ – Biographical Processes of Becoming a Ukrainian Activist in Forced Exile

War generates profound insecurity, especially when the aggressor is a country with which the victims share deep cultural, political, and economic ties. This rupture leads to significant changes and losses in both public and private life. Such is the case with the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The consequences of this war are particularly harsh for older individuals born and raised in the USSR. They were socialized into fraternal relations with Russia, often have family there, and speak Russian.

Since August 2023, I have been conducting narrative biographical interviews with older Ukrainian women in forced exile in Poland. For many, the loss of stability leads to disorientation and withdrawal from active life, focusing solely on survival. However, some women stand out as exceptions, actively engaging in their new environment.

In my presentation, I will explore the experiences of Kalyna, a 60-year-old Ukrainian teacher, folk poet, and singer, who fled her village due to the Russian invasion. Now living in Warsaw, Kalyna fully embodies her Ukrainian identity and actively promotes Ukrainian culture and patriotism among exiled Ukrainians in Poland. She engages in grassroots initiatives and social media, supporting Ukraine’s fight.

What differentiates Kalyna from other older Ukrainian women who ended up in Poland? Where does she find the energy and conviction that her actions matter, and that Ukraine's victory is in her hands? My analysis will explore her earlier biographical experiences to seek answers to these questions.