The life of Mary

The easiest thing to do in times of war is to hate strangers. The most difficult thing is to reach an understanding. Even with their own. But you have to try, otherwise the war will never end. And in order to understand each other, it is necessary to talk. With whomever, however and about whatever. The main thing is not to lose humanity, that is, love and attention.

In the poetry collection "Life of Mary" Serhii Zhadan talks about the most precious letters and burnt bridges, lost places and destroyed cities. Speaks in rhyming verses and verlibres, own and translated words. He talks to his own and strangers, to saints and not so saints, to dead soldiers and living refugees, to Rilke, Miloš and, of course, to us. To save - if not us, then at least our children.