Self-identification project "Naspil": Oleksandra Kryshovska, Ira Afrika

Self-identification is the process of establishing and strengthening one's identity, which can occur through identification with other people, groups, cultural patterns, or images. This process is very complex and lengthy, especially regarding the self-identification of a nation or a country. Everyone goes through it for a long time, persistently and stubbornly. Ukrainians and Ukraine are no exception to this ruleлрь; awareness of ourselves as a nation was a difficult and long road.

Our self-identification is a race against the obstacles set by History itself. For centuries, Ukrainians have overcome these obstacles, sometimes with brilliance, passing them quickly, sometimes with difficulty passing every millimeter of this path. And this is how we got to the present when people who identify as Ukrainians live in an independent and sovereign state.

The events that have been taking place in Ukraine since February 24, 2022 - the full-scale aggression of Russia - became the trigger through which the whole world saw a force that we may not have even imagined before. Ukrainians demonstrated how strong the national spirit and unity of the Ukrainian people can be.

It is no secret that Ukraine is also home to many other ethnic groups that have moved to the country in different periods of history. These people also feel a strong connection with Ukraine and participate in its development. They have long been the real sons and daughters of Ukraine, who today defend our national values, our culture, and our right to sovereignty and independence with weapons in their hands. Regardless of origin, skin colorаналіз, or faith, united, we have been able to resist the enemy, and we will be able to win.

The "Naspil" project will tell about what kind of support unity and self-awareness as a single person becomes in critical moments, about our willpower and national unity - the basis of our freedom, about the ability to identify ourselves as Ukrainians. We are free because, regardless of origin and roots, we can call ourselves one people and overcome obstacles on the way to live in a prosperous and independent Ukraine.